Justice Minister Asked To Give Update On South East Speed Camera Issues

A Wexford TD has written again to the Justice Minister seeking answers on static speed cameras.

Labour's George Lawlor says the cameras at Glenmore in Kilkenny and Graiguenaspiddoge in Carlow account for almost 70 per cent of all speeding fines handed out.

Last month, Minister Jim O'Callaghan said he would have officials look into why so many fines are occurring in these areas.

Deputy Lawlor says there has been no movement on the issue since then:

"I wrote to him earlier in the summer seeking information on the promised investigation that was promised to me on the floor of the Dail and privately.

"We've had no response since and so I've written to him once again this morning.

"I've spoken to many people who have lost their licences because of this because they've been caught by these static cameras and the lack of signage in place which is causing this to happen."

Court cases relating to the camera at Glenmore are set to be heard in September.

Deputy Lawlor says the numbers involved are scarely believable:

"The cameras account for 69.5% of all fines issued nationally so there's obviously a massive problem and something is radically wrong somewhere.

"These cameras are most welcome and needed but people need to be treated fairly and justly."

Over 30 thousand fines were issued relating to just the speed camera at Glenmore on the N25 alone last year while a further 15 thousand people were caught on the N80.

Deputy Lawlor says the court cases from Coughlan Kelly Solicitors in New Ross show how vital it is that we get this situation right:

"I think they will be pivotal to the outcome of this but we're keeping at it and we won't stop until we've exhausted every angle in what I believe is a kind of scandal in relation to the number of people who've been affected by these fines and points."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.