Boy drove truck at charity event

Gardaí played leading role in cross-border police operation

Shocking: The boy driving the truck

Patrick O'Connell

THE company, whose truck appeared in a viral video of a young child driving the vehicle on the M1 near Dungannon, confirmed yesterday the recording had taken place during a charity event.

But speaking with the Sunday World, a spokesperson for the Tyrone-based haulage firm said that on legal advice he could not comment further following the arrest of the man in charge of the vehicle this week.

On Thursday, a 37-year-old man was released on bail after the video, appearing to show a boy driving a lorry on a motorway in Northern Ireland, went viral online.

It is believed the incident happened on the M1 eastbound at Dungannon.

Truck

During the clip the man in charge of the truck can be heard telling the child "keep over" as the vehicle verged onto the hard shoulder.

The man was arrested in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, suspected of aiding and abetting driving while disqualified by reason of age. He was also questioned on suspicion of cruelty to children.

Contacted yesterday, a spokesperson for the company the vehicle is registered to confirmed the incident took place during a charity event but, when asked for an interview, responded: "Look it's a firm 'no comment'.

"We've been advised not to say anything after the arrest this week."

The actions of the 37-year-old man have been condemned both nationally and internationally.

DUP Councillor Clement Cuthbertson described the footage as 'recklesss'.

'It's reckless to see it not only on a local road but on a motorway. It is totally wrong.'


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