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The little-known driving rule that could land you €2,500 fine this Christmas while doing key festive task
FESTIVE drivers are being warned about a little-known rule that could land them a €2,500 fine this Christmas.
A serious enough violation could even lead to a prison sentence.
As Christmas draws near, thousands of people across the country are busy preparing for the holiday season.
One of the key tasks on the list is securing a Christmas tree to decorate the living room and provide a place for all those treasured presents.
But when it comes to getting it home, motorists must be careful they don’t overload their car.
The law in Ireland requires you to ensure that your vehicle is not carrying more weight than it is designed to carry, as overloading can affect your car’s performance and safety.
For cars, the maximum weight limit typically ranges between 1,500 kg to 3,500 kg, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
If you are caught driving an overloaded vehicle, you could face a fixed fine of €80 for not adhering to weight regulations.
Additionally, you could receive penalty points on your driving licence, with three points added on the spot for breaching load limits.
The RSA states on its website: “It is an offence to carry a load on a vehicle which is overloaded.
“We have been advised by An Garda Síochána that in practice, the driver of an overweight vehicle will receive penalty points and a fixed charge, while the owner of the vehicle will receive a summons to court for the offence.”
In more severe cases, if the load is deemed dangerous or you are driving recklessly with an overloaded vehicle, you could face even higher fines and further legal consequences.
On conviction, the courts can then impose on the owner of the vehicle a Class C fine of up to €2,500, a prison sentence, or even both.
If you’re transporting a Christmas tree or other large items this season, it’s always best to check your car’s load capacity and secure the items safely.
This follows an urgent warning issued to thousands of Irish drivers, as the NCT advises giving notice before changing bookings.
Major NCT warning
Taking to social media, the NCT services revealed a problem that many Irish drivers seem to be making when it comes to their NCT test booking.
They revealed that once an Irish driver books their NCT, they can change their booking dates, get an earlier slot, or switch test centres.
This provides drivers with peace of mind if they cannot attend their original booking time, as they can change to a different time free of charge.
This means that if you were unable to fix a problem with the car that needs to be fixed before the NCT test, they can change it to a later date until the problem is solved.
However, they warned drivers that they must give the NCT five full working days’ notice to change their test to verify the booking change.
Failure to do so will hurt the motorists‘ wallet as they would be required to pay for the test again.
Late notice or failure to attend will incur a fee of €22 for a periodic inspection or €11.50 for a retest inspection.
To amend the booking, this can be done via the NCT website, telephone, email or postal bookings.
Legendary UTV journalist Ken Reid dies aged 69 after health battle as tributes paid to ‘towering figure in broadcasting’
VETERAN Northern Ireland journalist Ken Reid has died at the age of 69 after an illness, his family has announced.
Mr Reid was best known as the long-time political editor of UTV, where he reported on many of the worst atrocities of the Troubles before chronicling the peace process.
ITV director of news Michael Jermey described him as “a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland”.
Mr Reid had previously spoken publicly about his battle with leukaemia and received well wishes from former prime minister Tony Blair among others.
He was married to Liz and was father to three children – Gareth, Sarah and Sophie – and a grandfather.
Mr Reid’s career in journalism began in 1977 at the News Letter and he was later sports editor and editor at the Sunday News.
He then worked for the Cork Examiner before joining UTV in 1994, where he held a number of senior editorial positions over 27 years before his retirement.
During his time as political editor he interviewed seven prime ministers and well as US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Mr Jermey said: “Ken was a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland.
“He will be enormously missed by colleagues in UTV and right across the wider ITV.”
He added: “Ken was a wonderful journalist. Well informed, intelligent and always utterly impartial in his approach to reporting.
“He had a ringside seat at some of the most significant moments of modern history – perhaps most notably the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
‘DEEP KNOWLEDGE’
“Ken was supremely well informed and he shared his deep knowledge with UTV viewers across three remarkable decades.
“He was hugely respected right across the television industry. I will miss him enormously and everyone at UTV and ITV send their sincere condolences to his widow, Liz, his children and his family and friends.”
Chris Hagan, editor of news at UTV, said: “Ken was the master of his craft. A brilliant role model who set standards.
“People said when prime ministers talked and they talked about Northern Ireland, they talked to Ken.
“He had the true inside track. It made him probably the most trusted journalist in Northern Ireland.
“People tuned in because they trusted him.”
TRIBUTES
DUP leader Gavin Robinson described Mr Reid as a “colossus is his field”.
He added: “Ken was a special journalist in Northern Ireland as someone who managed to get to the heart of all the major political stories and cover the difficult issues whilst retaining the respect, admiration and affection of representatives from all political opinions.
“He had contacts locally and nationally built up over many, many years and his passing will be deeply felt by many of us.”
Mr Reid was originally from Belfast, but his adopted hometown was Ballymena. He supported Cliftonville and Everton at football and Ballymena Rugby Club.
Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Chancellor’s Medal for services to journalism, along with former BBC political editor, Stephen Grimason.
Mr Grimason died in April.
TROUBLES COVERAGE
Speaking to the PA news agency about his career earlier this year, Mr Reid said: “You don’t make progress in Northern Ireland unless you take risks – that’s the lesson (of the peace process).”
He recalled covering atrocities including an IRA bomb attack at Narrow Water in Co Down in 1979 when 18 soldiers were killed.
“I remember leaving there and smelling the stench of death, and then the sectarian murders, we experienced that, but then we had the delight of experiencing a political process which turned into a peace process and the development of the Good Friday Agreement.”
A statement from Queen’s University said: “Not only was Ken one of our greatest and most respected political correspondents, more importantly he was a man of compassion, modesty and fundamental decency, an outstanding human being.
“In the rough and tumble world of politics, in which relationships between elected representatives and the journalists tasked with holding them to account can often be fractious, Ken was held in the highest regard by political parties on all sides, by his professional colleagues and by the wider public.”
Legendary UTV journalist Ken Reid dies aged 69 after health battle as tributes paid to ‘towering figure in broadcasting’
VETERAN Northern Ireland journalist Ken Reid has died at the age of 69 after an illness, his family has announced.
Mr Reid was best known as the long-time political editor of UTV, where he reported on many of the worst atrocities of the Troubles before chronicling the peace process.
ITV director of news Michael Jermey described him as “a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland”.
Mr Reid had previously spoken publicly about his battle with leukaemia and received well wishes from former prime minister Tony Blair among others.
He was married to Liz and was father to three children – Gareth, Sarah and Sophie – and a grandfather.
Mr Reid’s career in journalism began in 1977 at the News Letter and he was later sports editor and editor at the Sunday News.
He then worked for the Cork Examiner before joining UTV in 1994, where he held a number of senior editorial positions over 27 years before his retirement.
During his time as political editor he interviewed seven prime ministers and well as US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Mr Jermey said: “Ken was a towering figure in broadcasting in Northern Ireland.
“He will be enormously missed by colleagues in UTV and right across the wider ITV.”
He added: “Ken was a wonderful journalist. Well informed, intelligent and always utterly impartial in his approach to reporting.
“He had a ringside seat at some of the most significant moments of modern history – perhaps most notably the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
‘DEEP KNOWLEDGE’
“Ken was supremely well informed and he shared his deep knowledge with UTV viewers across three remarkable decades.
“He was hugely respected right across the television industry. I will miss him enormously and everyone at UTV and ITV send their sincere condolences to his widow, Liz, his children and his family and friends.”
Chris Hagan, editor of news at UTV, said: “Ken was the master of his craft. A brilliant role model who set standards.
“People said when prime ministers talked and they talked about Northern Ireland, they talked to Ken.
“He had the true inside track. It made him probably the most trusted journalist in Northern Ireland.
“People tuned in because they trusted him.”
TRIBUTES
DUP leader Gavin Robinson described Mr Reid as a “colossus is his field”.
He added: “Ken was a special journalist in Northern Ireland as someone who managed to get to the heart of all the major political stories and cover the difficult issues whilst retaining the respect, admiration and affection of representatives from all political opinions.
“He had contacts locally and nationally built up over many, many years and his passing will be deeply felt by many of us.”
Mr Reid was originally from Belfast, but his adopted hometown was Ballymena. He supported Cliftonville and Everton at football and Ballymena Rugby Club.
Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Chancellor’s Medal for services to journalism, along with former BBC political editor, Stephen Grimason.
Mr Grimason died in April.
TROUBLES COVERAGE
Speaking to the PA news agency about his career earlier this year, Mr Reid said: “You don’t make progress in Northern Ireland unless you take risks – that’s the lesson (of the peace process).”
He recalled covering atrocities including an IRA bomb attack at Narrow Water in Co Down in 1979 when 18 soldiers were killed.
“I remember leaving there and smelling the stench of death, and then the sectarian murders, we experienced that, but then we had the delight of experiencing a political process which turned into a peace process and the development of the Good Friday Agreement.”
A statement from Queen’s University said: “Not only was Ken one of our greatest and most respected political correspondents, more importantly he was a man of compassion, modesty and fundamental decency, an outstanding human being.
“In the rough and tumble world of politics, in which relationships between elected representatives and the journalists tasked with holding them to account can often be fractious, Ken was held in the highest regard by political parties on all sides, by his professional colleagues and by the wider public.”
The bargain £1.88 buy that stops condensation in its tracks before it even has a chance to form on windows
WITH snow and subzero temperatures sweeping in, households across the country are facing pesky condensation.
A common autumn and winter problem, condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Not only can this annoyance make an unsightly mess, but these water droplets can also lead to the growth of mould.
Windows are often colder than insulated walls, so condensation is more likely to occur on them.
Poorly insulated windows can also lead to condensation, especially if they are made of aluminium, which conducts heat quickly.
With the cold weather making the problem worse, thousands of people have been taking to social media to seek advice to get rid of it while other savvy cleaning enthusiasts have shared their favourite remedies.
And one person has revealed that a handy bargain item can help eliminate the risk of condensation before it even forms on your windows or walls.
She said: “Modern homes are sealed much better than older homes and while that keeps draughts and cold air out, it keeps humidity in.
“Get a humidity meter and [take action[ whenever the humidity in the house gets up to 70%.”
Humidity meters will set you back as little as £1.88 on Amazon, making it a very cost-effective solution.
Once it advices that humidity levels in your home are high, you can open windows to air out the room.
If you have the spare cash, you can even invest in a dehumidifier to absorb the moisture.
A winter staple for many households, a dehumidifier works ”by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system”, explained the experts at the Breathing Space.
The water vapour then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket underneath.
Although you can buy the nifty winter gadget from many retailers, including Amazon, there’s no need to fork out a fortune, as portable interior dehumidifiers can be snapped up for as little as 99p in Home Bargains.
The ideal humidity range for a home should be between 40% and 60%.
Anything below this range could lead to several problems such as respiratory discomfort, dry skin, and eyes.
Anything above, can cause condesation or even mould growth.
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard devastated as she’s replaced on new job after nasty injury and surgery
CORRIE star Beverley Callard has announced she’s stepped down from her Panto role after suffering a nasty shoulder injury.
The devastated star has been replaced by another Coronation Street legend.
Beverley, 67, had shared updates on her rehearsals for the role of Wicked Stepmother in this year’s Christmas pantomime at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Wales.
But theatre bosses today announced she has been taken ill and won’t be able to perform.
The Panto’s big signing will now be Coronation Street legend John Thomson, who will play the Baron.
Beverley said: “I have an unexpected shoulder injury and have to have surgery which means I’m sadly not going to be able to perform in this year’s panto,which I’m devastated about.
“It’s a great fun cast, and I was so looking forward to working with them all. It will be a great show.”
Many will recognise John Thomson‘s face from a number of TV dramas and films.
The Lancashire actor played Pete Gifford in Cold Feet.
He then starred in Playing the Field in 1998 to 2000 and other TV series.
In 2008 to 2009 he appeared in TV series Kingdom before starring in Coronation Street as Jesse Chadwich.
Other films he has starred in include Northern Soul (2014), Billionaire Boy (2016), and Grimsby (2016).
Beverley was last seen parading around Weatherfield in June 2020.
Whilst Beverley remained busy off-screen, including with a stint in I’m A Celebrity, the actress recently said she is now keen to get her hands on a big acting role with BBC soap EastEnders firmly in her sights.
But the possible Albert Square appearance would actually not be the first time that Bev strutted into Walford.
She played her Corrie character Liz McDonald in a special crossover episode for Children in Need back in 2010
Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard devastated as she’s replaced on new job after nasty injury and surgery
CORRIE star Beverley Callard has announced she’s stepped down from her Panto role after suffering a nasty shoulder injury.
The devastated star has been replaced by another Coronation Street legend.
Beverley, 67, had shared updates on her rehearsals for the role of Wicked Stepmother in this year’s Christmas pantomime at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in Wales.
But theatre bosses today announced she has been taken ill and won’t be able to perform.
The Panto’s big signing will now be Coronation Street legend John Thomson, who will play the Baron.
Beverley said: “I have an unexpected shoulder injury and have to have surgery which means I’m sadly not going to be able to perform in this year’s panto,which I’m devastated about.
“It’s a great fun cast, and I was so looking forward to working with them all. It will be a great show.”
Many will recognise John Thomson‘s face from a number of TV dramas and films.
The Lancashire actor played Pete Gifford in Cold Feet.
He then starred in Playing the Field in 1998 to 2000 and other TV series.
In 2008 to 2009 he appeared in TV series Kingdom before starring in Coronation Street as Jesse Chadwich.
Other films he has starred in include Northern Soul (2014), Billionaire Boy (2016), and Grimsby (2016).
Beverley was last seen parading around Weatherfield in June 2020.
Whilst Beverley remained busy off-screen, including with a stint in I’m A Celebrity, the actress recently said she is now keen to get her hands on a big acting role with BBC soap EastEnders firmly in her sights.
But the possible Albert Square appearance would actually not be the first time that Bev strutted into Walford.
She played her Corrie character Liz McDonald in a special crossover episode for Children in Need back in 2010
Dana White receives X-rated ultimatum from Jon Jones as UFC icon bluntly lays out demands for Tom Aspinall fight
JON JONES has laid down his demands for a historic showdown with Tom Aspinall.
The 37-year-old made the maiden defence of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic last Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
Jones scored a stunning third-round KO victory over the former champion courtesy of a sensational spinning back kick.
MMA fans around the world are hoping the former pound-for-pound king’s next fight will be a unification bout with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG.
But the 37-year-old insists he WON’T share the octagon with the Brit unless the UFC brass make him an offer he can’t refuse.
He said of Aspinall in the UFC’s 309 post-fight press conference: “He’s annoying to me and that’s my own personal — he annoys me.
“I get to you guys, you find it entertaining, but I find him annoying and I just don’t like him.
“And at the end of the day, if I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated.
‘I want to say it, I want that ‘f**k you’ money, honestly. That’s just what it is.”
Defeat to Aspinall would do little to affect Jones’ legacy in the sport, in which he’s widely considered the GOAT.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
But the fan favourite said: “I want to be compensated to the point where if I won or lost, that it really wouldn’t matter.”
Jones, who returned from an 18-month layoff, is currently eyeing a blockbuster superfight with superstar Alex Pereira.
But he’s willing to hang up his gloves if the UFC don’t approach him with suitable figures for fights with the Brazilian or Aspinall.
He said: “I don’t need [Aspinall] at all and he needs me and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation.”
UFC President and CEO Dana White, however, insists the only fight Jones will be offered is a unification bout with Aspinall.
He said: “You know what tonight told me? There’s no f***ing way I make the Pereira fight.
“Jon’s too big. [Jon is a] great wrestler.
“Did you see how he took Stipe down in that first round?
“I like Alex Pereira. I like him personally. It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight.”
On a potential fight between Jones and Aspinall, White, 55, said: “It would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history, by a long shot.
“It’s going to be the biggest heavyweight fight ever.
“And it’ll probably be the biggest fight we’ve ever done.”
Dana White receives X-rated ultimatum from Jon Jones as UFC icon bluntly lays out demands for Tom Aspinall fight
JON JONES has laid down his demands for a historic showdown with Tom Aspinall.
The 37-year-old made the maiden defence of his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic last Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
Jones scored a stunning third-round KO victory over the former champion courtesy of a sensational spinning back kick.
MMA fans around the world are hoping the former pound-for-pound king’s next fight will be a unification bout with interim champ Aspinall, who was cageside at MSG.
But the 37-year-old insists he WON’T share the octagon with the Brit unless the UFC brass make him an offer he can’t refuse.
He said of Aspinall in the UFC’s 309 post-fight press conference: “He’s annoying to me and that’s my own personal — he annoys me.
“I get to you guys, you find it entertaining, but I find him annoying and I just don’t like him.
“And at the end of the day, if I give him the opportunity to fight me, I want to be so compensated.
‘I want to say it, I want that ‘f**k you’ money, honestly. That’s just what it is.”
Defeat to Aspinall would do little to affect Jones’ legacy in the sport, in which he’s widely considered the GOAT.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
But the fan favourite said: “I want to be compensated to the point where if I won or lost, that it really wouldn’t matter.”
Jones, who returned from an 18-month layoff, is currently eyeing a blockbuster superfight with superstar Alex Pereira.
But he’s willing to hang up his gloves if the UFC don’t approach him with suitable figures for fights with the Brazilian or Aspinall.
He said: “I don’t need [Aspinall] at all and he needs me and that’s a good place to be in a negotiation.”
UFC President and CEO Dana White, however, insists the only fight Jones will be offered is a unification bout with Aspinall.
He said: “You know what tonight told me? There’s no f***ing way I make the Pereira fight.
“Jon’s too big. [Jon is a] great wrestler.
“Did you see how he took Stipe down in that first round?
“I like Alex Pereira. I like him personally. It just doesn’t make sense to make that fight.”
On a potential fight between Jones and Aspinall, White, 55, said: “It would be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history, by a long shot.
“It’s going to be the biggest heavyweight fight ever.
“And it’ll probably be the biggest fight we’ve ever done.”