Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1291. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out due to summons not served for speeding offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2012/22]
View answer1293. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers that were not convicted in court for speeding offence in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, by District Court due to the fact that they claimed in court the non-receipt of the original fixed charge notice for speeding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2014/22]
View answer1294. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the Garda or gardaí not being present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2015/22]
View answer1295. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in each the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the Garda or gardaí not being present due to the garda or gardaí being under suspension from duty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2016/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1291, 1293, 1294 and 1295 together.
As the Minister of State may be aware, the decision to strike out a matter before the Courts is for the Presiding Judge, who must be satisfied as to the reason being proferred for such an application. These applications can be made both by the prosecution and defence.
I am advised by the Courts Service that the Courts Service system does not record the reason a case was struck out unless the Judge includes the reason in their order and, for this reason, the Courts Service therefore cannot provide the information sought by the Minister of State.
The Minister of State may wish to note that An Garda Síochána are currently carrying out a review of the striking out of cases specifically relating to the offence of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ over the 12 month period from January 2017 to December 2017. An analysis of cases will illustrate the reasons for such applications by members of An Garda Síochána. While the review will examine the strike outs of ‘holding a mobile phone while driving’ offences, the findings of the review will capture learning that will be applicable across the summons process end to end.
