THE LEGISLATURE should change the “antiquated” law regarding Army personnel whose careers are jeopardised if they attract court fines in excess of €260 for a criminal offence, a District Court judge said yesterday.
Judge Mary Fahy made the comment at Galway District Court after hearing from solicitor Valerie Corcoran that her client’s Army “conduct rating” would be adversely affected if he were fined more than €260 for offences before the court.
Soldier Michael Jacob (19) of Garn Iseal, Doughiska, Galway, pleaded guilty to drink driving and to driving without insurance on June 4th last near his home.
Ms Corcoran said the Army had a policy that if a soldier got a fine in excess of €260 or over for any offence it would have a detrimental effect on his conduct rating.
“That is antiquated and should be changed. It’s absolutely ridiculous in this day and age that €260 is the limit. It’s up to the legislature to change that ridiculous law.
“It’s a system which is untenable in this day and age,” Judge Fahy said. She said the accused would have to be dealt with in the same way as anybody else and fined Jacob €800 and disqualified him from driving for two years and one day.