Cormac MacConnell: My close encounters with the boys in blue

A young Garda called to my Killaloe door a couple of months ago with a summons. It was for an alleged speeding offence in County Limerick earlier last year.

He was courteous and apologetic and, after we shared a cup of coffee, he advised me to attend the court hearing the following week and explain the truth that the summons was the first notice I had of the alleged offence.

I did follow his advice, attended the court, and the case was immediately struck out because I had not received any prior notice before the summons was served.