Court forces reduction in M1 tolls

Toll prices on a section of the M1 motorway look set to come down at midnight after a Commercial Court ruling that motorists are being overcharged.

The action was brought by the National Roads Authority against Celtic Roads who operate the toll between Germantown and Monasterboice.

The NRA argued the M1 toll should have come down from €1.90 to €1.80 last January and that Celtic’s failure to amend the charges has resulted in motorists being overcharged by €26,000 a week.

The court heard that toll costs are regulated under bylaws in accordance with annual fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index.

The NRA argued that toll operators Celtic were in breach of the legislation, but Celtic insisted the laws provided for upward only price reviews.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly interpreted the bylaws in favour of the NRA and said the overcharging should cease.

Lawyers for Celtic have agreed to recalibrating the tolls from midnight but the issue of costs has been deferred in case the company decides to appeal.