Most public drinking fines not paid

Three-quarters of those fined for illegally drinking in public places in Dublin city last year failed to pay the fine, at a loss of more than €30,000 to Dublin City Council.

The council's own figures show that 1,336 people were stopped and fined by gardaí for drinking in public places in Dublin in 2006. Just 335 of these paid the fine of €31.70 to the council.

The council took court cases against only 13 of those who failed to pay. Three of the cases were struck out, four were adjourned because the garda could not attend the court and six cases resulted in conviction. Those convicted paid combined fines of just €550.

Fine Gael councillor Naoise Ó Muirí said: "the fixed fines are issued by An Garda Síochána to people found consuming alcohol in a public place and the onus is on the local authority to administer the fines and ensure they are paid. However, [ the] council's collection record leaves much room for improvement."

The failure of the council to prosecute and the low monetary value of the fine meant there was no real deterrent, Mr Ó Muirí said.

"We are literally holding the door open for repeat offenders by the operation of a scheme in this fashion. The size of the fine is not a sufficient deterrent in modern Dublin and those already fined know that there is no follow-up in place and that they can treat the bylaws with contempt."

Fines should be increased to €100 with a target collection rate of 80 per cent, Mr Ó Muirí said, and he intends to put this proposal to the next meeting of the city council.