Visiting TT fan fined for crossing closed road

Ciaran Magee was handed a fine at Douglas Courthouse on Monday

A motorcycle fan who walked across the Isle of Man TT course after it had been closed for racing has been fined.

Ciaran Magee, from Dublin, crossed the carriageway near to Cronk ny Mona on Sunday afternoon after the roads had officially been shut but before the solo warm-up lap.

Douglas Courthouse heard that the 37-year-old had walked onto the A18 from a path upper Onchan and began making his way along the pavement before being stopped by marshals.

He was fined £665 and ordered to pay £125 in costs.

Marshals stopped Ciaran Magee as he headed in the direction of Cronk ny Mona

The court heard Magee had travelled to the island from Crumlin in Dublin to watch the TT races and was intending to watch Sunday's Superbike race with friends near Cronk ny Mona.

Shortly after the roads closed at 13:15, Magee walked down a path from Birch Hill, crossed the road and headed along the pavement towards the spectator spot.

The court heard that while the roads inspection car had passed through the area, no racing had started at the time.

He was stopped by marshals in the area who reported him to police, the court was told.

When arrested he told officers he though the rules on the island mirrored those at events in Ireland where spectators were told when they could and could not cross a closed road, adding: "I really didn't understand the severity of my actions."

He pleaded guilty to contravening the Road Racing Act 2016 by entering a closed road without reasonable excuse.

His defence advocate said Magee had been on the island for "a day or so" and he "genuinely believed" crossing the road was allowed.

Fining the HGV driver, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood said, while she accepted he had made a mistake, it was "extremely serious".