Article from: www.thenewspaper.com/news/12/1238.asp

7/17/2006

Ireland: Speed Camera Refund Over Illegal Speed Limit
Ireland to refund nearly 400 speed camera fines issued to motorists driving under the speed limit in Donegal County.

Nearly 400 drivers in Donegal County, Ireland received speed camera tickets while driving lawfully on the N56 near Mountcharles during a two-day ticketing blitz in June. Among the victims were fifteen members of a funeral procession caught driving 69km/h in what is normally a 100km/h zone. Funeral Director John Carr and 150 outraged local residents prepared to launch a legal challenge earlier this month.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan responded to the challenge on July 7 by announcing that after an investigation the 80 Euro (US $100) fines and all license demerit points would be refunded.

"After investigation of the matter with the National Roads Authority, Donegal County Council and the Garda Siochana, we can confirm that the proper bylaw putting in place the 50 kilometers per hour speed limit on the N56 -- a national secondary road under the road Traffic Act 2004 -- had not been executed," Coughlan and Fianna Fail councillor Brendan Byrne said in a joint statement. "Therefore no legal basis for enforcement of the 50 kilometers per hour speed limit that existed at the time."

Source: Hearse driver will not face speed penalty (Irish Independent, 7/8/2006)

Permanent Link for this item
Return to Front Page