Malin motorist is fined €320 in court for driving at 90kph in an 80kph zone

A Malin motorist, who was detected travelling at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour in an 80-kilometre zone last year, has been fined €320 in court.

Gavin Knight, of 27 Radharc Na Tra Breige, Malin, pleaded guilty to a speeding charge when he appeared before Buncrana District Court.

However, his solicitor Carrie Hegarty told the judge that her client had not received a fixed penalty notice in the post in relation to the matter before it proceeded to court.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the evidence against the 42-year-old Malin man.

The prosecution arose after a Go Safe speed camera van recorded Mr Knight’s 2009-registered Ford Focus travelling at a speed of 90 kilometres per hour in an 80-kilometre zone along the main R239 road at Drumadooey, Fahan, on November 29, 2024.

Sgt Mulkerns handed in a document verifying that a fixed charge penalty notice was issued in respect of the offence.

Defence solicitor Hegarty told the court that Mr Knight was oblivious to the matter until he was summonsed to court.

“Mr Knight’s instructions are that he didn’t receive the fixed charge penalty notice, and that he only became aware of the matter when gardai served the summons on him.”

“He accepts that he was speeding, but he didn’t receive the notice. My client is a 42-year-old man with three kids, and he’s currently unemployed,” she added.

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Judge Emily Daly queried what the fine would have been had Mr Knight paid it.

Sgt Mulkerns said the initial fine was for €160, rising to €240 and then €320, if not paid in time.

Judge Daly then delivered her ruling: “The court isn’t minded in these matters to go below what the last opportunity to pay before court was, because otherwise it would undermine the system.”

“So, I’m going to just match the last opportunity FCN of €320.”

The judge gave the Malin man three months to pay the fine.

Mr Knight’s licence was also handed in to the court, because there are penalty points associated with the offence.