A CLONAKILTY truck driver who maintained he was holding a box of cigarettes and not his mobile phone while driving was convicted.

At Bandon District Court David O’Brien of Valleyview, Lackenalooha, Clonakilty contested a charge of holding a mobile phone while driving.

Gda Wayne Cronin said that at 5.24pm on June 25th 2025 he was parked at the Lawn on Main Street in Innishannon village when he saw the defendant’s truck pass him.

‘I could see that the driver was holding a mobile phone in his left hand. I followed the lorry and he pulled in,’ said Gda Cronin.

‘He told me that he was holding a box of cigarettes and not a mobile phone. I am 100% sure it was a mobile phone he was holding as I had a clear view of the truck cab and it was a bright, clear day.’

He said he issued a fixed charge notice for the offence which wasn’t paid by Mr O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien, who was unrepresented in court, told Judge Joanne Carroll that he showed Gda Cronin the box of cigarettes he was holding.

‘I have hands free and Bluetooth ear piece for driving,’ said Mr O’Brien. ‘I had put the box of cigarettes up to my mouth to light a cigarette.’

Gda Cronin said the cigarette box looked much smaller than the mobile phone. Judge Carroll said she was accepting Gda Cronin’s evidence and said it’s a ‘serious matter’ for a professional driver.

The court heard that he has 20 previous convictions, five road traffic related.

Judge Carroll convicted and fined him €150, fixing recognisances in the event of an appeal in his own bond of €100.