Cyclists should have insurance, says judge

Judge was dealing with man who admitted cycling without reasonable consideration

Judge said: “Cyclists can cause terrible accidents by their actions. I think that cyclists should have insurance.”

A judge has called for cyclists to have insurance.

Judge Bridget Reilly was dealing with the case of Robert Gildea (25), Fortfield Park, Terenure, who admitted at Tallaght Court to cycling without reasonable consideration in Rathfarnham, on September 18th, 2014.

Garda Patrick Tarrant said he saw a cyclist who did not look left or right and was on his phone.

He continued cycling along the footpath, he said.

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Garda Tarrant said he asked the cyclist to stop but he did not. He continued on further and stopped. Garda Tarrant said he explained to him the cyclist that he had committed an offence and asked him for his details. He said Gildea gave his details.

Judge Reilly heard that Gildea had seven previous convictions.

The judge said Gildea had not shown if he had any consideration for other road users.

“Cyclists can cause terrible accidents by their actions. I think that cyclists should have insurance," she said.

She said she would apply the Probation Act if Gildea paid €200 to the LauraLynn foundation.

The case was adjourned to July 10th for payment of the donation