Criminals paying 19th Century fines - Report

According to the latest report by the Law Reform Commission, criminals are getting away with paying 19th Century fines for modern day offences.

The report recommends that criminal fines be updated to bring them in line with inflation.

A maximum fine imposed in court may not reflect the gravity of the crime. David Gwynn, the Director of Research at the Law Reform Commission says the Justice Minister must be given new powers to index link fines.

He states that as the value of money has eroded over five years, the Minister for Justice should have the power to increase the maximum figure.