Motorists escape speeding fines after two speed van operators could not attend court due to illness

A large number of motorists escaped speeding fines after two speed van operators could not attend court because they were sick.

A number of cases being prosecuted by gardaí relying on the Go Safe speed vans were due to be heard at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal.

However, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was left with no choice but to dismiss the cases after two of the three operators due to give evidence could not attend the court.

Garda Sergeant Gerard Dalton said he had evidence to say the drivers were driving in excess of the speed limit in each case.

However, he admitted that he did not have details of the exact speed they were alleged to be doing at the time they were pictured by the Go Safe cameras.

That specific evidence is given by the Go Safe operator under sworn oath.

Judge Cunningham said she could not go ahead with the cases if people had turned up in person as the cases were down for hearing.

Anyone who did not attend court to answer their speeding charge had their cases put back to a date in May for hearing.

This was after the court was told that the two ill Go Safe speed van operators would be off work for “four to five months” due to their illness.

The nature of the illness was not outlined in court.

A number of cases did go ahead as evidence was given by the remaining Go Safe van operator.

A number of fines, some in excess of €300, were issued by Judge Cuningham.

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