Fines and penalty points issued to nearly 1,900 motorists are being revoked

Gardaí have said that they are revoking the fines and penalty points due to an error.

This only affects motorists who were issued fines and penalty points for speeding offences on the N17 in Mayo detected by the static speed safety camera system between 20 December 2024 and 12 February 2025.

1,871 speeding fixed charge notices were issued over this period.

An Garda Síochána and the safety camera provider GoSafe identified an issue on 12 February 2025 whereby the static speed camera on the N17 near Claremorris was fully functional and accurately identifying offences, but not certified.

It is standard procedure that all cameras used for speeding detection have valid calibration certificates issued by GoSafe.

"This matter occurred as a result of the original camera that was used during testing having a faulty focus mechanism and when a new camera was installed, the new camera did not have a valid certificate of calibration," a Garda spokesperson said.

Once this issue was identified, the camera was certified on 13 February and has been operational since 14 February.

The more than 230 speeding fines issued from the speed safety camera system on the N17 since 14 February are valid.

In addition, An Garda Síochána can confirm that all certificates of calibration for cameras used at average speed, static locations and in safety camera vans are valid.

Of the 1,871 fixed charge notices issued between 20 December 2024 and 12 February 2025, a Garda spokesperson said:

"800 notices were paid and penalty points applied, 123 were paid however the error was identified prior to penalty points being applied, and of the remaining 948 notices that were issued, no payment was made prior to the error being identified, therefore no penalty points were applied."

An Garda Síochána is cancelling any fines and penalty points resulting from these fixed charge notices and is writing to each individual affected.

"Refunds will issue with penalty points removed where necessary," the spokesperson added.

Motorists impacted do not need to do anything as they will receive a letter in the post. However, those with further concerns can ring the FCN Help Desk at 0818 50 60 80.

From now on, An Garda Síochána will request proof of camera calibration certification when cameras are installed and/or changed, rather than at the prosecution stage.

GoSafe has also put in place measures to prevent reoccurrence, including weekly confirmation of the certification status of all speed safety cameras.

Chief Superintendent Roads Policing, Jane Humphries, said in statement: "This error is very much regretted. An Garda Síochána is committed to reducing road deaths and serious injuries through enforcement of speeding via a variety of speed safety cameras.

"The level of speeding breaches issued since the camera went operational on December 20 2024 demonstrates the continued need for all motorists using this road to slow down."

A GoSafe spokesperson added: "During a routine quality assurance check, we identified that the calibration certificate for radar components in a static speed camera on the N17 in Mayo had expired.

"The accuracy and validity of the camera system was not affected at any time and all speeding offences were correctly identified.

"However, it is standard procedure that all cameras used for speeding detection have valid calibration certificates. The radar component of the camera in question has since been recertified and cleared without issue.

"Following a thorough internal review, we have confirmed to An Garda Síochána that all other static, mobile, and average speed enforcement cameras are fully certified.

"To prevent a recurrence, we have implemented enhanced safeguards within our quality assurance processes.

"We remain steadfast in our dedication to supporting An Garda Síochána and all other road safety stakeholders with reliable, rigorously tested technology that ensures public trust in road safety measures.”