Over 2,300 jailed in 2016 for non-payment of fines

More than 2,300 people were jailed for the non-payment of fines in the first three months of 2016, the Irish Examiner reports.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed in a written Dáil answer that 2,325 people were jailed for non-payment between January–March 2016.

She also said remaining provisions of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 would be implemented over the course of the year.

The legislation, aimed at eliminating the option of imprisonment as a sanction for fine default, was commenced in January and will be implemented in stages over 2016.

It provides for the payment of fines by instalments and empowers the Court to make an attachment order to earnings as a means of recovering an unpaid fine.

Ms Fitzgerald’s written answer stated: “The Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 was commenced on January 11, 2016.

“The new approach to the payment of fines means that various provisions including payment by instalment and attachment of earnings will take effect in stages during 2016.

“The sequencing of the different payment options indicates that it will be a full year before a clear picture emerges as to the operation and effect of the new system, the impact it has on the volume of court business, as well as on the roles of other agencies including the Probation Service.

“While the Courts Service is compiling statistics, there is limited data available at this early stage; the figures do however indicate that the take up of the option to pay a fine by instalments is working well and continues to rise.”