State facing €4m bill for poor garda driving

THE State is facing almost 500 compensation claims costing several million euro from members of the public injured in road traffic accidents involving garda vehicles.

Figures from the Department of Justice show that 775 road-related personal injury cases have been taken against the gardaí in the last three years — 244 in 2004, 299 in 2005, and 232 this year to date.

Of these, 494 cases are still active and will almost certainly amount to a hefty bill for the State.