Fines amounting to €434,000 were imposed on 18 drivers who evaded M50 tolls – including one motorist responsible for over 1,000 unpaid journeys – after they failed to appear in court, reports RTE.
At Dublin District Court, Judge Anthony Halpin said it was necessary to send a clear message, reports RTE.
“The most important infrastructure we have in this country is our roads. And last week these roads were hijacked by protesters and paralysed this country, reports RTE.
He added that blocking roads causes major disruption for ordinary people.
Addressing the seriousness of the M50 toll cases, he said many defendants ignore proceedings and assume others will cover their toll costs, reports RTE.
A total of 16 motorists were fined the maximum €25,000 in their absence.
Among them was Reece Quinn, of The Grove, Milltree Park, Ratoath, Co Meath, who had the highest number of unpaid tolls at 1,087.
One commercial vehicle owner, also absent, received the maximum fine after failing to pay for 79 trips on the motorway, reports RTE.
The only person to attend court was a 65-year-old grandmother who had paid for 281 out of 460 journeys.
The judge acknowledged mitigating circumstances presented by defence counsel Bakshi Mohit, reports RTE.
Mr Mohit explained that his client had fallen behind on payments while regularly travelling to assist her elderly parents with welfare checks and hospital visits.
She was instructed to remain in the courtroom until the judge discharged her shortly afterwards under a provision of the Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914.
This provision allows a court to detain an offender in custody at a station or courthouse until 8pm on the day of conviction instead of imposing a prison term, reports RTE.
Meanwhile, those who did not attend were also ordered to pay €350 in costs within three months in addition to their fines.
Prosecuting counsel Thomas Rice, instructed by Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors, told the court that each defendant faced five sample charges for journeys, mainly between April and September, and that proceedings could continue in their absence, reports RTE.
A prosecution witness confirmed vehicle records, number of journeys, and payment histories, along with evidence showing the registered owners at the time.
Photographic evidence of the vehicles passing through toll gantries was also presented in court, reports RTE.
The court has the authority to impose fines of up to €5,000 per offence and a six-month prison sentence, though motorway operators typically target repeat offenders.
The standard toll for a private car is €3.80 and must be paid by 8pm the following day, otherwise penalties apply, reports RTE.
Additional charges increase after 56 days, followed by warning notices and eventual legal action if unpaid. Commercial vehicle owners pay higher tolls, and responsibility lies with the registered owner.
Overall, 21 cases were adjourned to allow defendants an opportunity to engage with motorway operators, reports RTE.
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