Tánaiste 'concerned' about most recent Garda revelations
The Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald says she is concerned by revelations about fixed charged motoring offences.
It emerged last night that motorists without NCT certificates were wrongly prosecuted after having already paid fines.
Gardaí are to examine prosecutions over all fixed charge offences following the discovery.
The Minister for Justice says the scale of the problem is unclear at this stage.
Ms Fitzgerald said: "I would be concerned at any administrative failing like this because it is very important that confidence is maintained in the system, we need confidence maintained in the system.
"This will be examined immediately and urgently, every superintendent will be asked to look at the summonses in their own area and we need to know the scale and the scope of this problem."
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O'Brien TD has called on the Garda Commissioner to immediately clarify the scope of the proposed review of wrongful prosecutions taken.
The Cork North Central TD said: "The Garda Press Office issued a press release announcing a review of prosecutions for having no NCT despite people having a paid a fixed penalty.
"The statement was issued on a Friday night in order to attempt to bury the story and this is the latest in a series of disasters for the Gardaí.
"An enormous amount of public money must have been wasted in pursuing these unnecessary prosecutions and even more will be spent on rectifying this.
"The Garda Commissioner must immediately state the precise scope of this review including how many years it will cover and the extent of the categories of offences concerned.
"There is also an onus on Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald to ensure that the Garda Commissioner is accountable for this."
