Left it too late to pay postal fine

PUTTING the payment of a postal fine issued for not wearing her safety belt on the long finger landed Sinead Monaghan, The Paddock, Town View, Gorey Hill before the District Court.

Self-employed Ms Monaghan accepted that she was not belted up while driving in Gorey on May 29 last.

She also acknowledged that the fine was sent to her in the post during September.

However, she did not deal with the fixed penalty notice until Christmas Eve, shortly before the December 27 deadline.

Her problem was that the post office had closed and did not re-open until December 28.

She then attempted to pay on line but was not successful, so the summons to court was issued.

Judge Brian O’Shea was unable to spare her a conviction but kept the fine he imposed down to €60.