Community work proposed for those unable to pay fines

UP to 300 people are typically jailed each year because they can’t pay fines, but future offenders could escape imprisonment under planned laws.

Instead, they will have to repay their debt to society by carrying out community work such as removing graffiti and “generally improving the environment,” Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said last night.

The minister announced he will bring an amendment to the Fines Bill 2009 to the Dáil.