Laois court hears of ‘extraordinary’ foreign licence penalty points system 

A Laois court heard of “an extraordinary" situation regarding the recording of penalty points on foreign driving licences, as reported by Leinster Express.

Alexandru Epurean(28) of 21 Higgins Park, Portlaose, appeared before accused of drunk driving in Portlaoise on  February 18, 2024. 

Garda Sergeant Mick O’Connell said the Romanian national had been approached because he had pulled into a disabled parking spot without a disc in the Portlaoise Plaza at Junction 17, Portlaoise at 8.20pm on the date in question. 

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On speaking to the driver, Sgt O’Connell got a strong smell of alcohol off his breath. The man was arrested and taken to a garda station where he provided a sample with a reading of 28mgs per 100mls of breath.

Sgt O’Connell explained that such a low reading would mean the defendant was eligible for a fine. However, enquiries revealed the man “should have been disqualified" as he had amassed 15 penalty points. 

Sgt O’Connell explained that “a dummy licence” is created when a foreign licence holder gets penalty points. In this case three separate dummy licences had been created and the points were spread across all three, he said. “He would never have been notified,” said Sgt O’Connell.  As a result, Sgt O’Connell said gardaí didn’t prosecute the driver for being disqualified. He said the man had no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was pleading guilty. He said there seemed to be an “extraordinary situation” with regard to the way the RSA dealt with foreign licences. “They would produce duplicates to record penalty points,” he said.

“It seems like a crazy system that was in place at the time,” said Mr Meagher. 

Judge Susan Fay said “he did have 15 points though.” 

Mr Meagher said his client works in construction and travels between Dublin and Limerick. 

“He picked up 15 penalty points unbeknownst to himself,” he told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Mr Meagher said on the date in question his client had a drink with his dinner earlier in the day. He said the legal limit is 22mgs and he recorded 28mgs. 

In relation to recording points on foreign licences, Mr Meagher said, “I think the system has now been changed."

However, Sgt O’Connell said “it is an issue that is ongoing.” 

Judge Fay disqualified the man from driving for six months and imposed a €100 fine.