75% of fixed fine cases thrown out of court

Three out of four people summonsed to court in the first seven months of this year for failing to pay a fixed-charge penalty notice escaped a conviction.

Department of Justice figures show that 32,162 people were summonsed to court for not settling their fine within 56 days. Only 7,977 people were convicted.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald (below) said those figures do not include penalty point offences (which require mandatory court appearances), such as driving without insurance or driving a vehicle while unfit.The conviction rate was as low last year.In 2013, 47,967 people were summonsed for failing to pay their fixed-charge penalty notice, but only 11,055 were convicted, a rate of just 23%.