Motorists accused of dodging M50 tolls were given fines that totalled almost €300,000 yesterday.
A total of 26 cases resulted in fines ranging from €3,000 to €16,000 being handed down by Judge John Brennan at Dublin district court.
None of the defendants attended their hearings or co-operated with the National Roads Authority (NRA) which Judge Brennan described as an aggravating factor.
All but one of the prosecution cases featured five charges of unpaid tolls and downloaded images were used as evidence by the NRA. They showed vehicles being driven on the barrier-free motorway between November 2016 and May last year, as well as proof of ownership. On top of the fines, which added up to €297,000, each defendant was told to pay €750 in costs. The fines must be paid within six months.
Christopher O’Donnell, from Westbrook Park, Balbriggan, had an “outstanding” amount of unpaid passages on the M50, the judge said. The court heard that his car had done 785 journeys and that just one payment had been received. He was fined €14,000.
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Leanne McGrath from Callenders Mill, Cellbridge, Co Kildare, was given fines totalling €12,000 for the five sample counts. The court heard her car had also used the motorway on 271 other occasions without her paying the toll.
The M50 toll for an unregistered car is €3.10 and must be paid before 8pm the following day to avoid penalties. The registered owner of a vehicle is responsible even if they were not driving.