Justice minister urged to quash speeding fines issued near 'wholly inadequate' signage

Labour TD George Lawlor urged justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to establish a 'comprehensive review' of all static speed cameras in operation across the country. Picture: Stock

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has been urged to quash thousands of fines issued to motorists by a single static speed camera situated close to “wholly inadequate” signage.

Labour TD George Lawlor said the Government should introduce a penalty points and fine amnesty, after the camera recorded an average of 88 motorists per day breaking the speed limit.

In total, there were 30,599 motorists caught speeding on the N25 in Glenmore, Kilkenny, in one year.

Mr Lawlor said the high level of fines issued at the single camera suggests it is not an issue of driver behaviour, but that existing signage does not “provide sufficient advance warning” for motorists to slow down from 100km/h to 80km/h.

He has written to the justice minister, saying it is in the “interests of justice and fairness” to revoke all penalty points and fines for individuals who were travelling under 100km/h when detected by the camera.

He also urged Mr O’Callaghan to establish a “comprehensive review” of all static speed cameras in operation across the country.

“There is a growing and serious concern that the signage approaching many of these cameras is wholly inadequate,” Mr Lawlor said.

He said this was further evidenced by signage being erected on the road in Kilkenny on May 26.

“It would be wholly unreasonable to penalise drivers for failing to comply with signage that has now been implicitly acknowledged as insufficient,” he wrote.

“I am asking you to act immediately to ensure that the purpose of these cameras, road safety, is upheld and that public confidence in their fairness and legitimacy is restored.” 

Matter for the courts

Despite the calls, a spokesperson for Mr O’Callaghan said the minister did not have any jurisdiction to intervene as it is a matter for the courts and An Garda Síochána.

Mr Lawlor said he expected the “saga” to continue in the months ahead, as some impacted drivers seek to bring the issue to court.

“The test cases being taken by Coughlan Kelly Solicitors in New Ross will, if successful, play a major role in getting these fines and points revoked,” he said.

The data itself covers a period of just under a year, going from May 30, 2025, to May 11, 2026.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who is responsible for the management of static speed cameras, have been contacted for comment.

• Tadgh McNally is a Political Reporter with the Irish Examiner.