Special court to deal with unpaid fixed fines imminent

MAYO could be set to get an extra sitting of the District Court each month.
The feasibility of holding a special court to deal with summonses arising from the non-payment of fixed penalty notices – on the spot fines – is being examined by Judge Mary Devins.

Commenting at Castlebar District Court, the judge said she is arranging a meeting with officers of the court, such as An Garda Síochána, solicitors and the Courts Service staff, to see if fixed penalty matters can be heard separate from existing scheduled sittings.

The suggestion, the judge indicated, is that the court would sit once a month.
Offences dealt with by way of fixed penalty notices include, among others, illegal parking, not wearing a seat belt, speeding and holding a mobile phone while driving.

A person has 28 days from the date of the issue of the fixed charge notice to pay the fine. If notices go unpaid a summons will issue to appear before the District Court.