Fears over on-the-spot fines for drunks

Gardaí today expressed reservations about the introduction of on-the-spot fines for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

The fines of under €100 will be handed to offenders, who must pay up within 28 days to avoid a court appearance.

But the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said it would be extremely difficult to issue fines to heavily intoxicated offenders.

General Secretary PJ Stone said: “Would you think on-the-spot fines would work for a drunken lout who can neither leave nor drive? They better make sure they have a litter warden around as well.”

He said intoxicated people late at night were often so out of control that the only safe place for them was a cell.

“If it’s about someone who’s acting the bowsy and you give him an on-the-spot fine and walk away, then obviously that wouldn’t work.”

However, he added: “As far as I’m concerned we will enforce the law, and if it’s unenforceable, that’s up to the Minister for Justice.”

The on-the-spot fines are expected to be included in regulations to accompany the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill.

The measure is designed to free up gardaí from the paperwork associated with prosecuting the large number of small scale public order offences. However, people issued with on-the-spot fines will have the option of fighting their case in court.

In Britain last year, initial trials of on-the-spot fines of between €60 and €120 for public order offences were hailed as a success by the Labour government. But in the four pilot schemes, just 53% of fines handed out by police were paid.

The Temple Bar Traders Association in Dublin said on-the-spot fines would make it easier for gardaí to enforce the law.

Spokesman Martin Harte said: “I think it’s a progressive move and a step in the right direction.”