'120 drivers caught on first day' by Laois speed van claims councillor

A hidden speed van on a Laois road with a recently lowered speed limit is there just to make money, a local councillor has claimed.

Many councillors have complained this month about where Garda speed vans are parked, claiming they are catching and fining drivers that do not deserve it, while other roads remain black spots for speeding.

Cllr Aisling Moran of the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District raised the hot topic at the October meeting of Laois County Council.

She said that some people were caught by the speed cameras four times before they got their first notice in the post, when driving in Tankardstown near Maganey, close to the Carlow border.

"120 people were caught on the first day. The speed limit was 80km/h, now it's 60. Anyone using it didn't realise, it's coming up as 80 on the cars. It's there because it's making money.

"That van is constantly going back to the same spot because it's such a revenue stream. Some people were caught four times before they got their first fine in the post. Everyone is doing between 60 and 70km/hr," Cllr Moran claimed.

"This van has no signage, it's hidden between two trailers. They're only supposed to stay for one hour at a time, it's there three or four hours. I brought this up at the Municipal District meeting. Was there anything back from the Gardaí on that?" she asked at the council meeting.

She described serious crashes further up the road.

"We asked for speed vans because cars are going at 130 and 140km/hr half a mile up that road. A car came over the brow of a hill and flipped two or three times into a garden. A man thought his child was under the car. That happened twice," she said.

Laois County Council Director of Services for roads is Simon Walton.

"Until we review the bylaws, the limit is now 60km/hr. Regarding speed vans, their location and deployment is set out by headquarters of An Garda Síochána. It's a tendered contract. While we can make submissions, and we will write that letter, this is a contractual matter. The local authority has no role. 

"For a short term solution, we'll arrange to put up repeater signs to bring the attention to motorists that they are driving in a 60km zone," Mr Walton said.

He said there will be a full speed limit review of Laois roads during 2026.

Other councillors had agreed with Cllr Moran including Cllr Paschal McEvoy.

"I agree with Aisling for once. My young lad says it's absolutely disgraceful. What they have done is madness. It still comes up as 80 on the car. There should be a period to get used to it. Speed kills but people are being caught, it's a bit unfair," he said.

Cllr Ben Brennan claimed that a speed van is parked on private property.

"One person was caught three times, and got penalty points that as good as put them off the road. These people didn't even know they got penalty points and are gone off the road until they got the letter. It's not right to come in and catch people like that," he said.

Cllr Padraig Fleming said the issue is that the Tankardstown road has eight side roads, but only one new speed sign at either end of the zone. He had asked for more speed limit reminder signs.

Read also: Stole alcohol, washing tablets and bed linen in Portlaoise shop

Cllr Ollie Clooney said speed vans are in the wrong places.

"They are hidden in cul de sacs. They should be in places where people are in danger. We have them between Durrow and Abbeyleix where nothing is going to happen to you expect a deer come out, I don't know if they take the speed of the deer," he said.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh said a letter can be sent to An Garda Síochána voicing councillors' concerns.