Speeding motorists convicted despite pleading cases

DEFENDANTS who came to the District Court rather than pay fixed penalties received no sympathy from Judge John Cheatle.

Stefan Epure – addresses given in court papers as 84 Bellvue Heights but now resident at 27 Willow Park, in New Ross – accepted that he was speeding when he exceeded the 60 km/h limit at Mountelliot on the morning of August 24.

He felt that he should not have to pay an increased penalty because of what he called the incompetence of An Post in failing to deliver the fixed charge notice.

Judge John Cheatle responded that this was not a legal defence to the summons and reminded Epure that he broke the law.

A fine of €80 was recorded with a conviction.

Also in court was Jenny O’Neill from 52 Chambersland Close, New Ross who broke the 50 km/h limit at Marshmeadows on the afternoon of July 26 with a speed of 63 km/h.

She was sworn in to tell the judge that there had been a mix up with her name on paperwork so that she was then faced with paying an increased charge.

Sergeant Gary Rayner insisted that the name appearing on both the summons and the fixed charge penalty notice was correct.

Judge Cheatle proceeded to conviction, with a fine of €80.