Written answers

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Department of Justice and Equality

Road Traffic Offences

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1290. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; the number of drivers convicted of speeding in each of the years by the District Court; the number of drivers who had their cases dismissed and struck out each year by District Court; the number of drivers’ driver licence numbers recorded on conviction of speeding in each year by District Court; the penalties imposed on conviction each year by District Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2011/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have made enquiries with the Courts Service regarding the information sought by the Minister of State. The Courts Service have provided a significant volume of information in response to this question which I will arrange to be sent to the Minister of State directly.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1291. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out due to summons not served for speeding offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2012/22]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1293. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers that were not convicted in court for speeding offence in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, by District Court due to the fact that they claimed in court the non-receipt of the original fixed charge notice for speeding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2014/22]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1294. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the Garda or gardaí not being present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2015/22]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1295. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the Garda or gardaí not being present due to the garda or gardaí being under suspension from duty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2016/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291, 1293, 1294 and 1295 together.

As the Minister of State may be aware, the decision to strike out a matter before the Courts is for the Presiding Judge, who must be satisfied as to the reason being proferred for such an application. These applications can be made both by the prosecution and defence.

I am advised by the Courts Service that the Courts Service system does not record the reason a case was struck out unless the Judge includes the reason in their order and, for this reason, the Courts Service therefore cannot provide the information sought by the Minister of State. 

The Minister of State may wish to note that An Garda Síochána are currently carrying out a review of the striking out of cases specifically relating to the offence of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ over the 12 month period from January 2017 to December 2017. An analysis of cases will illustrate the reasons for such applications by members of An Garda Síochána. While the review will examine the strike outs of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ offences, the findings of the review will capture learning that will be applicable across the summons process end to end.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the driver making a contribution to the court poor box; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2013/22]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Courts Service that the table below details the number of persons by District Court Area, where their offence for speeding was struck out/dismissed due to the driver making a contribution to the court poor box in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Court Area Jan - Dec 2018 Jan - Dec 2019 Jan - Dec 2020 Jan - Dec 2021
ATHLONE 1
BALLINASLOE 2 2 1
BANDON 3 3 7
BANTRY 1
CARLOW 2
CARRICK ON SUIR 1
CASTLEREA 1
CLONAKILTY 1
CLONMEL 1
CORK CITY 1 1
DROGHEDA 1 1
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT 7 4 11
DUNGARVAN 5 1
ENNIS 1
KILLALOE 1
LONGFORD 1
LOUGHREA 1 1
MACROOM 4 3 3
MULLINGAR 3
PORTLAOISE 1
STROKESTOWN 1
TUAM 1 2 2
YOUGHAL 1
Total 29 18 5 32

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.