98 drivers escape speeding sanctions as judge dismisses cases

Almost 100 motorists accused of speeding today escaped any sanction after a judge dismissed all ‘Go Safe’ cases against them.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan dismissed 98 Go Safe prosecutions against the motorists accused of speeding on two legal grounds.

Judge Durcan dismissed the cases over the failure of the Go Safe personnel in court to show they were authorised to give evidence on behalf of Insp John McDonald, who heads up the Garda fixed charge processing unit.

Judge Durcan adjourned months of Go Safe prosecutions into yesterday’s date due to a High Court challenge.

Judge Durcan also dismissed the 98 cases after ruling that the Go Safe employees could not give any evidence as to whether the fixed charge notice was paid or not.

Surveying the packed courtroom that included some 12 Go Safe staff, Judge Durcan said“Insp McDonald is out in force today with the artillery”.

The fleet of some 50 Go Safe vans is operated by an Isle of Man firm that secured the €80 million Garda contract in 2009 .

Judge Durcan dismissed the cases yesterday followed a test case brought by Ennis solicitor Daragh Hassett on behalf of one of his clients.

Speaking after court yesterday, Mr Hassett said that the cases were dismissed “after I exploited flaws in the legislation enacted to outsource the prosecution of speeding offences”.