Offaly school bus collision recalled as judge imposes €400 fine

Man in his work vehicle near Clara struck bus on its driver's side after coming around bend, Tullamore District Court is told

Published 8th Oct 2026, 19:00 BST Tribune Pictures Man in his work vehicle near Clara struck bus on its driver's side after coming around bend, Tullamore District Court is told A COLLISION involving a school bus was recalled at Tullamore District Court when a driver was fined €400.

Pedro Ivo De Araujo Filho, Ballydangan, Athlone, Roscommon pleaded guilty to careless driving on September 30, 2025 at Kilmanaghan, Clara.

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Sergeant Richard Thornton told Judge Andrew Cody that on that afternoon a Renault failed to stop and struck the driver's side of a bus. €3,000 worth of damage was caused.

Sergeant Thornton said Mr Filho's vehicle came around on the wrong side of the road and the bus couldn't brake in time. The accused man had no previous convictions.

Justice minister will ‘appraise’ legal aid reform data Defending solicitor Patrick Martin, who entered the plea of guilty on the defendant's behalf, said it was not a case where the man was on the wrong side of the road.

Mr Martin said the driver was could not have been any further over to the left hand side of the road tried to squeeze by the bus on what was a “narrow enough” road.

A 54-year-old married father of two, he worked as a fitter and was driving a work vehicle at the time. He apologised for what he had done and had “held his hands up” and pleaded guilty as early as possible.