Government minister criticises use of poor box in road traffic cases

Acting Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has criticised the continued use of court poor box donations to provide an alternative to penalty points.

Almost 2,000 people accused of speeding offences avoided conviction between 2013-15 by donating to the court poor box.

This is the despite the fact that the High Court has previously ruled that this practice is “incorrect” under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2010.

The figures were revealed earlier this week.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport told Irish Legal News: “Minister Donohoe’s view has not changed, he is unequivocally against the use of the poor box and is disappointed that the practice appears to be is still in use.

“The judicial ruling, that use is incorrect, has already been brought to Courts’ attention and we expect that ultimately we will succeed in this area and the practice will end.”