More than €4m in unpaid Cork court fines 'a slap in the face', says MEP

An Ireland South MEP has said the more than €4m in unpaid district court fines across Cork is “a slap in the face” to victims.

Data released to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú by the Irish courts under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 show that, nationally, there is almost €45m in unpaid district court fines that are outstanding or not fully paid since 2020.

Of this, €3.2m is outstanding across Cork city district courts.

A total of €622,448.22 is outstanding in the Mallow District Court office — which includes Mallow, Fermoy, and Midleton courts — and €345,449 is outstanding in the Clonakilty district court office, which includes Clonakilty, Bandon, Bantry, Macroom, and Skibbereen courts.

This amounts to a total of €4,167,897.22 in unpaid district court fines issued across Cork since 2020.

Review

Ms Ní Mhurchú, a former barrister, is now calling for this 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 shoplifting?” said Ms Ní Mhurchú.

“We are imposing fines that a percentage of criminals are choosing to ignore, and it seems there is little we are doing about it; €45m would fund a lot of domestic violence refuges, road safety campaigns, and extra gardaí on our streets.

“Our road deaths have been rising for consecutive years.

“How can we expect any improvement in that scenario when those fined for traffic offences may choose not to pay the fine?”

Implement measures

Ms Ní Mhurchú said now is the time to “aggressively” implement measures set out in the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014, which came into force on January 11, 2016.

The act, which provides for alternative orders to imprisonment in the event that a court-imposed fine is not paid, also allows those convicted of offences 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.

“Clearly, the Courts Service is not implementing the measures set out in the 2014 act,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú.

“The act allows measures up to and including taking someone’s social welfare or salary to pay the fines due — [but] is this being done?

“It is time for a get-tough approach to those criminals who feel they are above the law.”