A jet-skier who drove too close to a beach used by swimmers on the Aran Islands, as he jokingly splashed a friend swimming in the water, was fined €350 for breaching beach by-laws yesterday.
Fintan Glynn, of Waterville, Ennis Road, Limerick, pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on August 4th last at a beach on Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.
He drove his jet-ski to a canoe anchored some distance from the shore. His friend was swimming behind the canoe, and he used the jet-ski to create a wave 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 what happened. Glynn was charged with operating the jet-ski contrary to the interests of the safety of swimmers, and so breaching Galway County Council's beach by-laws.
Glynn said he had been driving a jet-ski for 15 years near other beaches in Dingle, Co Kerry, and there had never been any complaints. Judge John Garavan fined him €350, and ordered him to pay €397 witnesses' expenses.