A jet-skier who drove too close to a beach used by swimmers on the Aran Islands has been fined €350 for breaching County Council bye-laws.
Mr Fintan Glynn, of Ennis Road, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the offence on August 4th last year at a beach on Inis Oirr.
The court heard he drove his jet ski to a canoe anchored some distance from the shore. A friend of his was swimming behind the boat when the accused came up and used the jet ski to create a wave of water which washed over his friend. He did this manoeuvre twice, the court was told.
A lifeguard, swimming instructor and a Garda standing on the beach witnessed the jet ski operating too close to the shore.
The accused was charged with operating the jet ski contrary to the interests of the safety of swimmers and thus breaching Galway Co Council's beach bye-laws.
Mr Glynn told the court the swimmer's father had told him to push the wash from the jet ski over his son and it was just done as a joke.
He said he had been driving the jet ski for fifteen years near other beaches in Dingle, Co Kerry, and there had never been any complaints before.
Judge John Garavan said three witnesses had seen the jet ski too close to the water's edge. He fined the accused €350, plus €397 witnesses' expenses.