Crashed into railway bridge in Portlaoise

Crashed into railway bridge in Portlaoise 

A truck driver has admitted crashing into a Portlaoise railway bridge last year. 

Rafal Pietrzyk, 26, with an address at Nolans Group, Oaklands, Wexford admitted crashing into the bridge at Coote Street in Portlaoise on May 11 last. 

He was prosecuted for striking a bridge with a vehicle under Section 138 of the Railway Safety Act 2005.  

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had been driving an articulated truck when the collision occurred at 10.05am. 

He said the driver was travelling in the direction of Mountrath when the vehicle collided with the railway bridge.  The crash stopped traffic but the bridge was checked and there was no damage, said Sgt Kirby. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client simply “miscalculated the height” of the bridge. 

“He is pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity,” he added. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €250 and gave him three months to pay.