Law « Thurles Information

A Thurles Mistake Or Just Another Kerry Joke

speed-detection Drivers of motor vehicles in “The Kingdom”, who have been detected speeding throughout Kerry county, are walking away from local courts without any conviction because of an apparent flaw in the Garda Central Processing Unit in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, which has responsibility for the issuing of “Fixed Penalty Notices”.
Already this year, at numerous court sittings in Kerry, hundreds of defendants, dressed sackcloth and ashes who tearfully admit their motor speeding transgressions and plead guilty, have had their charges dismissed when they gave sworn evidence, stating that they never receiving notification of any fine imposed. The fact that so many penalty notices now appear to go undelivered on a weekly basis in Kerry, is a source of great concern among Kerry Gardaí, who attempt each day to publicly promote driver responsibility and greater road safety/awareness.

Normal Procedure:-

Normally, in this green and pleasant land, when a vehicle and driver are stopped for alleged speeding by Irish Police, their details are entered into what is known as a Fixed Charge Penalty System or FCPS. These details are then forwarded to the Garda Central Processing Unit in Thurles, which mails the offending motorist a well deserved Penalty Notice via our national postal service, An Post. Motorists are then given 28 days to respond to this notice. If the fine is not paid or a notice to appeal is not received within the required time limit, the penalty is increased and a further period of 28 days is given in which to make this payment. If no payment is received within 56 days, a court summons is issued to the offender.

In Kerry hundreds of defendants are turning up in local courts and giving sworn evidence of never having receiving such notices from Thurles, and it appears the presiding Judge is obliged to strike out the offence thus allowing drivers to escape conviction and the accompanying mandatory penalty points.

Let me see if I correctly understand this situation. You admit to a Court of law that you were speeding, thus endangering human life – not to mention breaking the law, but because you did not get an invoice, you avoid conviction and mandatory penalty points endorsed on your Driving Licence.

Does this administration of law appear reasonable just to you?

Thurles Bank Robbery – Thieves Foiled by Front Door

thurles-bank-robbery Gardaí in Thurles, Co.Tipperary are appealing for help from the the public, following an attempted robbery at the Ulster Bank in in the town, at about 5.00pm yesterday evening.

The thieves attempted to ram the front doors of the Ulster Bank in the town shortly after it closed for business on Friday evening, using a silver Toyota Land Cruiser as their battering ram. However the thieves were foiled in their quest possibly because the front of the vehicle was too large to get past two perpendicular steel support structures, positioned on either side of the banks main entrance. Only minor damage was done to the doors of the banks.

Gardaí believe the Silver Toyoto Land Cruiser was stolen in Dublin last September and the original plates on the vehicle removed and replaced using a false registration number.

The thieves were forced to abandon their vehicle and unconfirmed reports state that the occupant or occupants possibly escaped on foot, climbing over the wall at the rear of the Haye’s Hotel, and escaping in the darkness through the Ursuline Convent Secondary school grounds. It is believed that other transport possibly may have been waiting on the Thurles to Roscrea Road, supporting the thieves in their getaway.

While local Police were immediately on the scene, within seconds of the alarm being raised, darkness and heavy slow moving traffic, at that time of the evening , did little to assist them in their pursuit of those responsible.

Law Society of Ireland – Practice Management Task Force Meets

Thurles town is now being fast recognised as the ideal conferencing and employee training centre for business groups.

Why Thurles?

(a) – Its central location and positioning cuts back dramatically on associated costs, e.g. travelling expenses paid to delegate representing their respective trades and businesses from surrounding counties.
(b) – A more than adequate train service, but if you choose to drive here there is ample free and secure car parking available at all conference centres.
(c) – Costs, for essential overnight accommodation & food are considerably less than currently offered in larger Irish cities.
(d) – Essential fast IT broadband connection is available at all conferencing locations. (UPC -10113kbps download with1449kbps upload. Eircom – 3kbps download etc.)

It is not surprising therefore that the Law Society of Ireland should choose Thurles for their next seminar entitled “Changing the Traditional Methods of practice for Increased profitability“. The Practice Management Task Force of the Law Society, established by the current President of the Law Society, Mr James McGuill will shortly host the first of these seminars in Thurles at the Horse and Jockey in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on 8th October, 2.00pm – 5.30pm.

One of the functions of this Task Force will be to ensure that Solicitors understand their cost base and obtain reasonable remuneration for the services they provide. This seminar will show members how to be profitable in challenging times and will highlight the benefits of changing the traditional methods of practice to achieve this aim.