Thanks for all your inputs. I will consult a solicitor, as I was going to in any case.
For me there's one of them fierce dangerous yokes here, a "point of principle".
We the tax-payers have had our money spent on a Garda Traffic Corps, speed-cameras and other speed detection technology, legislation to enact Fixed Penalties for road traffic offences, the human and IT infrastructure to support implementation and I now find out that because some well-paid alikadoo's project plan was incomplete, I have to jump through hoops in order to take my medicine.
I put my hands up; what I did was stupid and dangerous, but I believe my moral and legal obligations stop somewhere short of acting as my own executioner - I have already paid for several of those and no doubt, I will continue to pay.
... I'd be talking to a solicitor competent in these matters, rather than listening to opinions and anecdotes.
As I stated above, I will consult the legal oracle, but with all due respect extopia, the reason behind my original post was to gather opinions, expert or otherwise, and experiences. This to me is the real strength of AAM, the facility it provides us with to learn from others.
Thanks again, typing v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.