LIMERICK has seen among the highest levels of unpaid district court fines over the past four years.
That’s according to figures provided to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, which reflect €3,448,153.89 in unpaid fines issued from Limerick District Court since 2020.
The count stands behind only Dublin (€13.3m) and Naas (€3.7m), and is positioned ahead of nearby Cork (€3.2m) and Galway (€2.4m).
Ms Ní Mhurchú described the figures as “a slap in the face” to the victims of crime, and criticised court services for their “inability” to collect unpaid district court fines.
A former barrister, Ms Ní Mhurchí obtained the figures under the Freedom of Information Act, revealing almost €45m in unpaid district court fines nationwide since 2020.
She called for the issue to be included in the upcoming review of the criminal justice system, which was promised in the 2025 Programme for Government.
“What does this say to the victims who have been impacted by crimes such as drink driving, assault, theft, and shop lifting?” she asked.
“We are imposing fines that a percentage of criminals are choosing to ignore and it seems there is little we are doing about it. €45million would fund a lot of domestic violence refuges, road safety campaigns, and extra Garda on our streets.”
The MEP suggested that “it is time for a get-tough approach to those criminals who feel they are above the law”.
Ms Ní Mhurchú claimed that the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014, which came into force in January 2016, is “clearly not working” when it comes to the recovery of outstanding fines, and called for more aggressive implementation.
“The act allows measures up to and including taking someone’s social welfare or salary to pay the fines due,” she said, claiming further that 33, 851 district court fines across the county have yet to be paid in full.
