Fine for driver whose lorry got stuck on Derry bridge

The driver of a lorry which became stuck on the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge in Derry has appeared at the city’s Magistrates Court on charges connected to the incident.

Patrick McMenamin (51), of Lismore Park in Sion Mills, Co Tyrone admitted driving without due care and attention and breaching a traffic sign.

The court heard police received a report of a lorry being stuck on the lower deck of the bridge on October 10 last year but when they arrived the vehicle had left.

The court was told debris was observed at the scene.

The next day, police obtained video footage and identified the lorry as belonging to Donegal Groupage and got details of the driver and lorry.

The court heard McMenamin told police he had driven on the bridge the previous week with no issues and on the day of the incident did not know the trailer attached to the lorry, which was 22 cms over the height restriction for the bridge, was taller.

He said he clipped the top of the bridge as he was turning and reduced height to release the vehicle.

He told police he did not notice any debris.

A defence solicitor told the court it was a “genuine mistake” and no damage caused to bridge.

McMenamin was fined a total of £315 and had three penalty points put on his driving licence.