Gardaí in Co. Mayo stopped an agricultural vehicle driving on the N5 near Bohola with no working lights on its trailer, while out on patrol.

An Garda Síochána Mayo said Mayo Roads Policing were on patrol yesterday (January 27) evening on "a busy and wet N5 near Bohola", where they encountered the agricultural vehicle.

The tractor had "no working side lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps, reflective rear markings on its trailer."

In addition, gardai said the tractor had no flashing beacons turned on, "making it making it barely visible to other road users on the dark, wet roads".

Gardaí said upon approaching and speaking with the driver of the tractor, they discovered that the beacons were in working order once the driver turned them on.

However the trailer's side lamps, rear lamps, stop lamps and reflective rear markings were not in working order, resulting in the tractor driver receiving a fixed charge penalty notice.

Gardaí are reminding owners of agricultural tractors that the vehicles "must be fitted with a working, flashing amber/orange beacon, which must be switched on while operating on a public road".

Flashing beacons are an important safety device, as they alert road users that a tractor is ahead, gardai added

"Once you are on the public road, you are part of a shared environment where good vehicle lighting protects you and everyone around you, especially during low light conditions," An Garda Síochána Mayo said.

An Garda Síochána

Separately, gardaí are also reminding dog owners to keep their pets under control during lambing season; following an increase in sheep worrying over the past month.

According to gardai, this is a critical time of the year for farmers, and dog owners are fully liable for any damages their dog inflicts to farmers and their livestock.

Dog owners can face criminal prosecution and financial liability.

Sheep worrying causes serious stress, injury, miscarriages, and death. A dog does not need to touch livestock to cause harm, gardai said.

Keep dogs on a leash and under control, and in rural areas make sure your dog cannot escape your property, as it may find its way onto land containing livestock, gardai warned.