Kerry man tells court he delayed paying speeding fine because letter was covered by newspapers
The KerrymanA Kerry man who came before Killarney District Court this week on a speeding fine pleaded for increased penalty points not be imposed on him because he was late paying the fine for the offence.
Batholomew O’Neill (53) of Grenagh Fossa, Killarney, represented himself in Killarney District Court on Tuesday. He said he received a letter by post notifying him that he owed €160 for speeding but only found it, unopened, on his counter one day before the payment was due.
He said his wife had collected had post and he had been on the counter covering with newspapers.
“Just by way of explanation and background, the letters rested on the counter,” he said.
He had driven 62kph in a 50kph zone on the N72 Fossa in January 2025, a charge he did not contest, the court was told but he said he was concerned about penalty points.
“This is an administrative issue, I did post it on the last day,” he told Judge Mark O’Connell.
Mr O’Neil explained that he opened the letter on April 10.
“If I had been served by registered post, if I had been, I would have got it,” said Mr O’Neil. “That’s the state’s way of not serving.”
“That’s what the state does,” said Judge Mark O’Connell.
The court heard that the payment was too late and the case ended up in court which leads to increased penalty points.
Mr O’Neill pleaded for these not to be imposed but Judge Mark O’Connell said he could do nothing about penalty points.
The judge ordered Mr O’Neil to pay the original €160 speeding fine, without additional fees.