Fines for breach of EU rules reduced

Crosbie Trans-Car Ltd, of Craig Avenue, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, Dublin, yesterday appealed in the Circuit Court against…

Crosbie Trans-Car Ltd, of Craig Avenue, Clondalkin Industrial Estate, Dublin, yesterday appealed in the Circuit Court against the severity of fines of £13,500 on 15 charges of having permitted its drivers to breach EU work and rest regulations.

Judge Kevin Haugh said it seemed to have been a company policy to permit drivers to work for longer than allowed and to cut back on obligatory rest periods. Counsel for the company said the maximum fine was £1,000 and his client had been fined £900 in each case. The company had since increased its fleet and the matter of pressure on its drivers had been rectified. Judge Haugh adjusted the fine in each case to £600, a total of £9,000.