Kildare-based court granted most 24-hour driving disqualifications in Ireland, figures show
In cases where the order was imposed, motorists avoided penalty points
Courts Service figures show that Naas District Court granted the majority of legal orders under which drivers got 24-hour bans, thus avoiding penalty points.
As reported by The Irish Times, 27 of the total 33 ancillary disqualification orders which were granted by the various District Courts throughout Ireland (in both 2023 and 2024) were granted at Naas District Court.
The Irish Times further noted that all 18 orders made in 2023 were granted by the Naas court.
And last year, of the 15 total orders, 9 were made in made in Naas District Court. Other courts included: Kilkenny District Court (3), Limerick District Court (2) and Dublin District Court (1).
The legal move, which has been described as a "loophole", was addressed in the Road Traffic Act, 2024. However, the provision to actually close it has not yet come into force.
The Department of Transport insists that the necessary order to enact it is expected to be signed by Minister Darragh O’Brien by the end of this month.