asked the Minister for Justice why a person (particulars supplied) was jailed for 17 days from 24th February 1967 to 13th March 1967 in spite of the fact that on 12th October 1966 he had paid the fine of £5 5s. on demand from the District Court Office, Sligo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Sentence on Farmer.
127.
The penalty imposed in this case consisted of a fine of £5, with £5 expenses, making in all the sum of £10.
Due to a clerical error, the notice of imposition of penalty sent to the defendant was for £5 5s. only, which sum was paid. The defendant was twice informed by the Garda of the error and, having failed to pay the balance, was committed to prison on a warrant which issued from the court on 2nd December.
The District Court Rule requiring the issue of a notice of imposition of penalty specifically provides that a misstatement in the notice shall not in any way prejudice the issue by the justice of any warrant.