Almost two-thirds of drivers fined in Cork were speeding

Motorists across Cork paid out more than €3m in fines last year for driving offences, almost two thirds of this total relating to speeding offences.

A total of €3,013,010 was paid out across both Cork local authorities in 2025, according to garda data, €1,184,935 in Cork city and €1,828,075 in Cork county.

In Cork city, the majority of fines, €644,720, were paid out for speeding offences; followed by €128,220 for using a mobile phone whilst driving; €79,520 for learner or novice driver offences, and €75,930 for failure to display a valid tax or insurance disc.

Parking-related offences are among the largest categories in Cork city. Clearway/disabled-space offences racked up €39,420 in fines; bus lane/taxi rank offences, €31,790, and parking-sign violations, €38,580.

At €10,600, drink-driving fixed charges brought in significantly less revenue than red-light offences at €31,200 and seatbelt penalties at €22,260.

In Cork county, the majority of fines related to speeding offences at €1,272,800, followed by €137,340 for using a mobile phone while driving, €122,370 for failing to display a valid tax or insurance disc, and €119,120 for learner or novice driver offences.The amount paid for parking offences was far lower, with just €520 in fines for parking in a bus lane or taxi rank, 60 times smaller than the figure for the city.

However, Cork county saw higher fines paid out for driving without reasonable consideration, not having an NCT certificate, not wearing a seatbelt, defective or dangerous tyres, crossing centre lines causing danger, not having the right lighting on a vehicle or trailer, dangerous overtaking, and vehicles exceeding the maximum weight.

Fines were paid out across nearly 40 areas in total, including smaller amounts like €100 for smoking in vehicles with passengers under 18 in Cork city; €100, split across both local authorities, for parking in or obstructing an entrance or exit to a fire station, garda station or ambulance bay and €100 across both city and county for driving on or across a footway, cycle track or continuous white line.