Backlog threatens penalty points

MORE than 20,000 speeding offences have yet to be processed due to a mounting administrative backlog which gardaí claim could threaten the entire penalty points system.

The controversial system has also been delayed because of legal problems which have prevented gardaí from issuing tickets pending clarification from garda law officers.

Gardaí at the Fines Office in Dublin, where the majority of offences are dealt with, are struggling to clear the backlog, while at the same time processing new speeding offences.