Hundreds of speeding fines to be refunded

Hundreds of motorists are to be refunded speeding fines and have penalty points removed from their licences after a mix-up involving…

Hundreds of motorists are to be refunded speeding fines and have penalty points removed from their licences after a mix-up involving Louth County Council and gardaí.

A speed limit on a stretch of road near Drogheda was increased from 80kph to 100kph last April, but the council failed to change the speed-limit signs.

Gardaí continued to enforce the old limit, and almost 400 motorists were caught by fixed cameras and a Garda Gatso van.

Gardaí confirmed that there had been an "administrative error" on their part and that the fines would be returned and the penalty points removed.

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Some 380 motorists who had to pay €80 and received two penalty points for apparently breaking the limit will benefit from the mix-up.

The bylaw came into effect on April 28th and €24,000 has been taken in fines to date. Where appropriate, it will be repaid.

A Garda spokesman said the force would be going through the records.

Anyone who was travelling below 100kph will be refunded and they will ask the Department of Transport to cancel the penalty points.

However, anyone who was travelling over 100kph will not be refunded.