Accused of breaking red light by Garda, looking for advice

[peemac]

This is what will happen if the fixed penalty is not paid -

You get a summons for an initial court appearance. You have to be there at 10am, but you won't know if your case is 10.30am or 2.30pm (funny, the Garda usually has a good idea - but you will not be given any hint)

If you plead guilty, you might get off with a contribution to the poor box especially if you have a good (and quick) story.

If you plead not guilty the case is set for a hearing at a later date. Usually 3-4 months later.

It is at this stage the Garda attends. And again you are told to be there at 10am, but can be 3pm before you are called.

Then you can put your argument against the Garda. - That's if the Garda turns up.

It's a appalling system and the gardai know how it works so that even if you do win, you are punished by taking 2 days off and sitting about for hours on end.

 

[Ruffian]

Tell the garda produce the motorist who was forced to stop

Exhibit A, M'lud.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

You have to be there at 10am, but you won't know if your case is 10.30am or 2.30pm (funny, the Garda usually has a good idea - but you will not be given any hint)

In the possession courts, it was the same system. But a court list was issued the night before, so you would have an idea where you were on the list.

 

[Leo]

Tell the garda produce the motorist who was forced to stop.

Irrelevant to the charge at hand.

 

[peemac]

But a court list was issued the night before, so you would have an idea where you were on the list.

only if all cases before yours go smoothly - and that rarely happens unless you are VERY early on the list.

 

[Páid]

Irrelevant to the charge at hand.

It's relevant if they were witness to the OP breaking a red light.

 

[Leo]

It's relevant if they were witness to the OP breaking a red light.

Very unlikely in the circumstances as described. They don't waste time trying to track down witnesses to such offences prior to issuing FPNs.