'Slap in the face' as millions of euro in court fines in Tipperary remain unpaid

There are over €1.6million in unpaid district court fines in Tipperary, a figure which has been described as a "slap in the face" to victims of crime.

In the Clonmel district court office, there were outstanding fines of €805,638.36, while at Nenagh district court, €799,742.59 in fines remained unpaid.

The figures released as part of a Freedom of Information request to the Courts Service by Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, show that nationally, €45million remains unpaid in district court fines since 2020.

Ms Ní Mhurchú described the outstanding fines as a "slap in the face" to victims of crime across Tipperary, and Ireland.

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"What does this say to the victims who have been impacted by crimes such as drink driving, assault, theft, and shop lifting. We are imposing fines that a percentage of criminals are choosing to ignore and it seems there is little we are doing about it," the Ireland South MEP hit out.

"€45 million would fund a lot of domestic violence refuges, road safety campaigns and extra Garda on our streets. It is time for a get tough approach to those criminals who feel they are above the law," Ms Ní Mhurchú added.

According to Ms Ní Mhurchú, the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 is not working when it comes to the payment of fines.

The act provides for alternative orders to imprisonment in the event that a court imposed fine is not paid. The act allowed those convicted to pay fines in instalments, and introduced measures including attachment of earnings for unpaid fines, community service and the appointment of receivers to recover fines.

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The Ireland South MEP says she feels it is time to start implementing the measures set out in the act "aggressively". 

"Clearly, the courts service are not implementing the measures set out in the 2014 act. The act allows measures up to and including taking someone’s social welfare or salary to pay the fines due. Is this being done?

"The courts service will say it takes time to collect fines but over €2.2m is still owing from 2020 and over €5.5m is still owing from 2021," Ms Ní Mhurchú added.