Almost €900,000 in district court fines have gone unpaid in Waterford
The figures were released under the Freedom of Information Act. Stock Image.
Unpaid district court fines total €897,490.31 in Waterford.
That is according to figures released to MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú under the Freedom of Information Act.
According to the figures, 2,954 fines have not yet been fully paid.
“What does this say to the victims who have been impacted by crimes such as drink driving, assault, theft, and shoplifting?
"We are imposing fines that a percentage of criminals are choosing to ignore and it seems there is little we are doing about it. €45 million would fund a lot of domestic violence refuges, road safety campaigns and extra Garda on our streets.
"It is time for a get-tough approach to those criminals who feel they are above the law.
"Our road deaths have been rising in Ireland for consecutive years. How can we expect any improvement in that scenario when those fined for traffic offences may choose not to pay the fine,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú.
Ms Ní Mhurchú has called for the issue of unpaid district court fines to be included in the upcoming review of the criminal justice system, which was promised in the 2025 Programme for Government.
She said the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 is clearly not working.
“Clearly, the court service is not implementing the measures set out in the 2014 act. The act allows measures up to and including taking someone’s social welfare or salary to pay the fines due.
"Is this being done? The court service will say it takes time to collect fines, but over €2.2 million is still owing from 2020, and over €5.5 million is still owing from 2021," said Ms Ní Mhurchú.
