Fined for driving thru red light (not)

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Lingua

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About an hour ago I was driving to pick up my son at his friends house when I was stopped by a woman while garda (who happened to be standing on the side of the road beside a garda car). First she asked for my date of birth - in the tone of a bully. Then she asked for my name, while informing me that I had crashed through the red light. I am almost certain that I didnt crash the light .I drive past the same light every day and am certaintly familiar with it. However, there was a dense fog out and she might have been wrong . If I refuse to pay the fine who is likely to be believed in court? What criteria would the judge use as there are no ctv's around here? Would it cost me much if I lost in court? What is the fine for driving thru a red light (even though I didnt)?
Finally, why is this stupid question - your date of birth - always the first thing a gard asks when they stop you. What relevance has this or is it just a means of intimidation? I refused to give her my dob and she looked very pleased with herself, telling me I could explain myself to the court.
Why are garda allowed to get away with this bullying behaviour ?
 
Sounds like they were just doing their job, you seem unsure if you actually ran a red light yourself (fog) as for dob could be a few reasons but sure no big deal. As Keano would say, get over it:D
 
Lingua said:
Why are garda allowed to get away with this bullying behaviour ?
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Simply because they can. Some are fine and some not so fine. They seek to implement the purpose of fear, especially in rural areas against folk that they are able to frighten. It's Saturday evening and go to any city in Ireland and the Gardai will stand watching young fellas knock the stuffing out of each other but they won't get involved. Folk like you are easier prey.
 
pudds said:
Sounds like they were just doing their job, you seem unsure if you actually ran a red light yourself (fog) as for dob could be a few reasons but sure no big deal. As Keano would say, get over it:D
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What a stupid reply?????

To the OP how did it end up with the Garda, ie.Did she ask you to produce documentation or were you cautioned under a road traffic act or informed of a breach of any road traffic act?
 
Lingua said:
I am almost certain that I didnt crash the light .
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Make sure you mention that in court too.

Lingua said:
Finally, why is this stupid question - your date of birth - always the first thing a gard asks when they stop you. What relevance has this or is it just a means of intimidation?
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Its a means of identifying you - nothing more..

If you've a genuine complaint go here
 
Pudds is probably one of them . How did it end - well, as I was just doing a short run, didnt have driving licence with me so must bring that to the nearest station tomorro which is not a problem. I was told I will then have to either pay the fine (she refused to tell me how much the fine was) or if I still 'refused to cooperate' then I would be called to court.
I was not cautioned most likely because I refused to give my dob. I agree its no big deal but under the circumstances this was bullying.Sorry i dont like to be bullied.
 
Gianni, I dont have a complaint. I came here mainly to find out if anybody knows how much the fine costs and how much it costs if I lost the court case. Actually I dont believe that ones dob is used as a means of identification. This question was asked along with my name and address.
 
It seems to me that your making allegations that a Garda bullied you and that you were unecessarily asked for your DOB. I interpreted that as a complaint. Apologies if I've misunderstood.

Also, DOB is often crucial for identification purposes. The example below should highlight why this is the case...

e.g. Mrs Mary Lingua lives at 123 Main Street Tullamore

She lives here with her mother Mary Senior, her aunty Mary and her mother's good friend Mary Lingua (no relation). They all share the use of the same car.
 
Lingua said:
Pudds is probably one of them . How did it end - well, as I was just doing a short run, didnt have driving licence with me so must bring that to the nearest station tomorro which is not a problem. I was told I will then have to either pay the fine (she refused to tell me how much the fine was) or if I still 'refused to cooperate' then I would be called to court.
I was not cautioned most likely because I refused to give my dob. I agree its no big deal but under the circumstances this was bullying.Sorry i dont like to be bullied.
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Ok, just one mo...,pay the fine for what.......???
You were asked to produce your licence,not tomorrrow,but within ten days I would imagine.
The fact of you not giving your DOB has no bearing of whether you were cautioned or not.
I would surmise from your last post that if you produce (as per my first reply) then you are in the clear.
If you were not cautioned of any breach of any road traffic act and just asked to produce then it would appear that no charges will follow.
 
SparkRite said:
If you were not cautioned of any breach of any road traffic act and just asked to produce then it would appear that no charges will follow.
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Just hope that the Garda has cleared the frustration from her mind. Zero tolerance would be fine if it is displayed in all areas, not simply for Gardai seeking brownie points and picking on those that are simple prey.
 
mercman said:
Just hope that the Garda has cleared the frustration from her mind. Zero tolerance would be fine if it is displayed in all areas, not simply for Gardai seeking brownie points and picking on those that are simple prey.
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+1
Hear Hear
 
Sorry sparkrite I understood to be 'cautioned' as a slap on the wrist and getting away with it this time. I assumed that because i was a bit difficult (ie in refusing to give my dob) she gave me more than just a slap on the wrist and told me to report to the stn - yes tomorrow (but this is a small town so no matter where you live the garda stn is only 5 mins away) As she insisted i broke the red light, i suppose thats what the fine is for.
 
mercman said:
Just hope that the Garda has cleared the frustration from her mind. Zero tolerance would be fine if it is displayed in all areas, not simply for Gardai seeking brownie points and picking on those that are simple prey.
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I agree. The woman was bored. Her garda companion had found himself a job since he was occupied (arresting someone or something) while she was just hanging around .. waiting for something to happen and I just happened to arrive in her firing line.
Well one thing for sure, my life work is rewarding and I dont envy her one bit.
 
Don't mind her, you have ten days to produce (small town or not).
If you did not recieve a penalty notice, there and then, you did not get an "on the spot fine". Also if you were not cautioned that you were in breach of any road traffic act and to that end a summons to court may insue, it is fairly safe to percieve that if you produce the required documents then that will be the end of the matter.
 
You seem to be fairly sure of your stuff Sparkrite.. just hope you'r rite!
Tomorrow I'll come back here and give the outcome.
 
Lingua said:
Finally, why is this stupid question - your date of birth - always the first thing a gard asks when they stop you. What relevance has this or is it just a means of intimidation? I refused to give her my dob and she looked very pleased with herself, telling me I could explain myself to the court.
Why are garda allowed to get away with this bullying behaviour ?
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You dont have to accept being bullied by anyone even if you did run a red light. A Garda is expected to perform his or her duties in a civilised manner. Just be aware of your own rights to be dealt with in a civilised manner as well as your own obligations. If stopped by someone in plain clothes I would ask that person for identification and examine it. Only someone with something to hide will have a problem with this question. I've only been stopped once in my life by someone who did happen to be in plain clothes who asked me my name and address. I asked for ID automatically as a reflex as the person could have been anyone. I was showed it and was told that is a very good and important question to ask for it. It transpired that something had been happening in that area at the time however I did not ask anything more as I had things to do of my own and didnt want to waste their time.

I cant vouch for the site below which turned up in Google but it seems to offer some advice about this:

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82108

It gives further links to here : http://www.iccl.ie where a lot of information can be found.
 
Maybe the Garda was frustrated because you didn't have you licence with you, which is the legal requirement.
 
I don't want to comment on any one individual poster but I must say I'm surprised at the anti-Garda attitudes of some people.
 
Just as a point of note, I am not and my post was not meant to be Anti-Garda. We socialise and are friendly with Gardai. It is simply that we are living in a two tier Policing state.
 
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