AN IT consultant was ordered to pay €70 to the court poor box for swearing at a couple during a road rage incident.

Segre Thomson (66), of Coach Road, Dunmanway, pleaded guilty at Clonakilty District Court to careless driving and a public order offence.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said that on July 7th 2024 at 7.30pm, the defendant reversed his Ford out of a parking bay at The Square, Dunmanway, cutting off another motorist who followed the vehicle, sounding his horn and flashing his headlights.

Sgt Mulcahy said both cars then came to a stop and a tirade of abuse was directed at the driver and his partner.

Mr Thomson said ‘Shut your mouth, you f***ing c*** or I will shut it for you’.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said his client has lived in the UK for most of his life and has been living on and off in Ireland.

‘He was moving to the Philippines a number of months before. He was diagnosed with cancer and remained here,’ said Mr Murphy.

‘He lost himself, it was a stressful time in his life. He has ongoing problems with right leg and his hip. My client is a security consultant with Apple on and off. A conviction would cause some difficulty in relation to his line of work.’

The court heard Mr Thomson had one previous conviction for a minor road traffic offence.

Gardaí sourced CCTV footage of the incident, showing Mr Thomson’s car pulling out of the parking bay on the opposite side of the road, seemingly unaware of the other car.

Mr Thomson, who was on crutches in court, said: ‘Sorry that I used bad language. I do apologise.’Judge Carroll ordered Mr Thomson to pay €70 to the court poor box.

The charge of careless driving was struck out.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.