In addition to being a important cog in Kerry's half forward line, Johnny Buckley is chief operations manager for Kerry Coaches Ltd, and it was in that capacity that he had to attend court yesterday as the company for which he works was convicted on ten counts of breaching transport regulations.
Buckley wasn't the only Kerry All-Ireland winner in the courtroom. Kerry Coaches Ltd were represented by defence solicitor Eoin Brosnan, the very same Eoin Brosnan who won All-Irelands in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
One of the offences referred to drivers working for a lengthy period of time (44 days in a row in one instance) without being allowed the requisite rest period.
Brosnan contended that the regulations were designed with heavy goods vehicles in mind, and were ill-suited to coach tours.
He pointed out that many of these coach tours involved very short journeys. Up to 60% of his clients businesses were golf tours, in which the driver would have a short journey and then would be sitting in the vehicle for six hours while his passengers completed their round. Yet, this was counted as a full days work.
The company had a clean record and were meeting with the Road Safety Authority and Minister Pascal Donohue to discuss a possible change in the regulations.
As some Dublin supporters have wryly noted, this is hardly ideal preparation for an All-Ireland final...
[RTE]
