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Dispense advice here
Right, time for some waffle. On the 28th October, on the way back from Donadea park in Kildare I was caught speeding after turning from the M50, off the Red Cow roundabout onto the R110. 78km/h in a 60km/h zone. However, on the official notice, it says “N7 NAAS ROAD”. I disputed it at first because well, I wasn’t driving on the N7! I was on the M7, but turned off at Naas to travel north toward the park.
After checking on Irish Speed Traps, it appears that yes, there is a regular checkpoint on the N7/R110. I’ve checked a few maps, including Fingal County Councils (below) own website and all the official ones I’ve checked have the road marked as R110.
So I really wasn’t on the N7 at all! What to do? I’ve got a few days to mull over if I pay the fine and take the points or go to court and possibly get double points if it goes against me. Or possibly get the speeding fine thrown out. I wouldn’t be this mercenary about the whole thing if I didn’t just get my license cleared after over 3 years of being a very careful driver. Well, I’m still a careful driver… I didn’t go mad and start driving like an asshole on the first day of no points!
So, advise please… What do you reckon?
I was listening to the radio earlier and they were talking about a load of speeding cases that were thrown out recently because the defendants alleged they didn’t receive the fixed penalty notices, and of course the state had no way of proving whether they were lying or not, because they send them out in regular mail. It’s a technicality, but the law is the law and if the Gardaí or their bosses or the legislation drafters fuck up, that’s their responsibility, not yours.
I want to tell you that you should challenge it, but you’ll get an extra two points if you do and the judge finds in favour of the State. I have six points, I couldn’t go for it. You might not want to now, given what you said above. I hope you will, but I rather think you won’t. 🙂
Let us know what happened either way.
Something similar happened to my brother in Galway. He rang the Guards at Millstreet and they put him in contact with the speeding division (or whatever they’re called) and they cancelled the ticket without going to court – so no risk of double points!
The worst that can happen is that they re-issue the ticket with the correct address on it, so you’ve nothing to loose by ringing them.
Smartarse answer – Next time don’t speed.
Non smartarse answer – You should be able to challange any summons that is filled out incorrectly though, and get away with it. One of my friends got away with something similiar. As you’ll probably need a solicitor to challenge it in court for you anyway, you should check with them first.