Unpaid fines in Ireland reach €45M, with Cork courts owed millions. Victims feel failed by the system.
About €45 million is owed in unpaid fines, issued by District Courts. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú revealed these figures, suggesting they may never collect this money. She says the system fails victims and communities.
Cork City District Court is owed €3.2 million since 2020. Mallow district court office is owed €622,448, including Mallow, Fermoy, and Midleton courts. Clonakilty district court office is owed €345,449, covering Clonakilty, Bandon, Bantry, Macroom, and Skibbereen. These figures are also from 2020.
Ní Mhurchú wants action on unpaid fines and wants this included in a review of the criminal justice system, planned for 2025.
She questions the impact on victims of crimes like drink driving, assault, theft, and shoplifting. Some criminals ignore fines, it seems, and little seems to be done about it.
That €45 million could fund important services, such as domestic violence refuges and road safety campaigns. More Gardaí on the streets would help, especially with road deaths rising in Ireland. Expecting changes is hard when fines are ignored.
Ní Mhurchú says the 2014 Fines Act isn’t working. This act, which deals with fine payment, started in January 2016 and offered alternatives to jail for unpaid fines. People could pay fines in installments, complete community service, or have wages taken to pay fines.
Ní Mhurchú thinks the 2014 act needs enforcement and believes courts aren’t using it well. They could take social welfare or salaries; is this happening now? While courts say collecting fines takes time, millions are still owed from 2020 and 2021.
Ní Mhurchú’s data shows a big problem: over 133,851 fines remain unpaid within the district court system.