Limerick, Friday – The Limerick City Petty Sessions yesterday saw Major Stopford C. Hickman of Fenloe, Newmarket-on-Fergus, summoned under Section 1 of the Motor Act for an incident that occurred on the 9th inst. He was accused of driving a motor in Limerick at a pace endangering public safety.

The prosecution contended that Major Hickman, while driving between Wellesley Bridge and McBirney’s (Image) corner, sounded his horn only once, nearly colliding with Mr C. H. Fitt, Assistant Clerk of the Crown and Peace, who was crossing on a bicycle. Major Hickman was alleged to be travelling at a speed of 13 to 15 miles per hour, proceeding up William Street without stopping.

In Major Hickman’s defence, he swore under oath that his pace was a modest eight miles per hour, asserting that he had repeatedly sounded the horn. He claimed Mr Fitt went in front of the motor instead of behind. Major Hickman professed ignorance of any incident until he received the summons on Tuesday.

Contrastingly, Mr Fitt stated that he heard only one horn sound, and the motor was perilously close when it did. He believed he was on the verge of being struck and subsequently collapsed shortly after the incident. Mr O’Grady Delmege vouched for Major Hickman’s reputation as one of the most careful and cautious drivers in Ireland.

After hearing additional evidence, the majority of magistrates dismissed the case. Mr Hickson, R.M., expressed his hope that nothing would tarnish the reputation of motoring. While acknowledging that most motorists exercised caution in the city, he regretted that there were a few exceptions.

Dublin Daily Express – Saturday 28 May 1910