€140K in Unpaid Fines in Carrick-on-Shannon Since 2020

There is over €140,000 in outstanding fines owed to Leitrim’s only court, Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, since 2020, according to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú.

The figures that Ní Mhurchú obtained from the Irish Court Service under the Freedom of Information Act also showed that there is €45 million in outstanding fines nationally.

The amount of outstanding fines to a court include are partly paid fines, fines due for payment in the future, and those overdue for payment. 

Despite having fines of over €100,000, the Carrick-on-Shannon district was one of the most compliant areas in the country.

Dublin topped the list with €13.3 million in unclaimed fines, followed by Limerick (€3.4M), Cork (€3.2M), Galway (€2.4M), and Bray (€1.4M).

Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a former barrister, has described the extraordinary amount of unpaid district court fines in Ireland as a slap in the face to the victims of their crimes. 

“What does this say to the victims who have been impacted by crimes such as drunk 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.”

Ní Mhurchú argues that the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014, which came into force on the 11th of January 2016, is not working when it comes to the recovery of most outstanding fines.

The act allowed those convicted to pay fines in instalments. Under the act, if fines are not paid, the possible penalties are attachment of earnings for unpaid fines, community service, the appointment of receivers to recover fines, and imprisonment.

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