Number of speeding fines revoked after ‘human error’ with camera revealed

Gardai have sensationally revoked over 900 speeding fines after an issue was raised with a new static camera that was operational for only 30 days.

The camera, on the N25 in Co. Kilkenny, recorded 914 motorists driving above the speed limit since it became operational on May 30.

They became aware of the problem on June 30 – 30 days after it became operational.

They blamed ‘human error’ for the mistake. The camera has been back up and ­running since July 4.

Of the 914 fixed-charge notices issued, 128 fines were paid and penalty points applied, while 56 were paid but the error was identified before penalty points were applied.

Of the remaining 730 notices, no payment was made before the error being identified, and no penalty points were applied.

Gardaí said they have taken ‘full responsibility’ for the error and promised refunds to people who paid their fines. Drivers who had penalty points applied to their licences will have them removed.

Extra.ie asked gardaí a series of questions about the potential repercussions for the motorists who had penalty points applied. We also queried how it was possible for the ­mistake to happen 914 times.

Extra.ie was told the force had no more information other than the statement originally supplied.

In that statement, a spokesman said: ‘Following a query on June 30, 2025, An Garda Síochána confirmed an error with the offence location on fixed charge notices emanating from the static safety camera located on the N25, Kilkenny. This error is a result of human error when inputting the offence location onto the processing system.

‘The error was rectified immediately upon its discovery on June 30, 2025, and the static safety camera resumed operations, with detections from July 4, 2025, being valid.

‘An Garda Síochána takes full responsibility for this error and has completed a review of all offence locations associated with static and average safety cameras. This error only affected the static camera on the N25.

‘Additional oversight has been introduced in relation to the verification of offence locations on the fixed-charge notice processing system prior to any additional static/average safety cameras going live,’ it added.

As part of that statement, the Chief Superintendent of Roads Policing, David ­Harrington, said: ‘An Garda Síochána is very conscious of our statutory responsibility for road safety and is ­committed to delivering a professional policing service to enforcement of speeding via a variety of speed safety cameras.

This error is very much regretted. An Garda Síochána continues to work steadfastly with all our partners in Road Safety endeavouring to reduce the human toll of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

‘An Garda Síochána has informed the Departments of Justice and Transport, the Policing & Community Safety Authority, the Road Safety Authority, and the Safety Camera Board of the matter. In respect of those Fixed Charge Notices, An Garda Síochána is cancelling any fines and penalty points resulting from these notices.

‘From today, An Garda Síochána is writing to each individual affected and refunds will issue with ­penalty points removed where necessary. Motorists affected by this do not need to do anything. They will receive a letter in the post. If they have further concerns they can ring the FCN Help Desk at 0818 50 60 80.

‘There were no summonses issued relating to non-payment of these fines within the prescribed time.’

The locations of nine static cameras were announced in May 2024 as road deaths soared. Eight of the nine are now operational.

They are situated on the N59 in Co. Galway, between Moycullen and Galway city; the N25 in Co. Waterford, between ­Glenmore and Luffany; the R772 in Co. ­Wexford at Aske, Gorey; the N13 in Co. Donegal, east of Letterkenny; the N80 in Co. Carlow, between Barristown and Levitstown; the N17 in Co. Mayo, northeast of Claremorris; the N22 in Co. Cork, east of Lissarda, west of Ovens; and the N69 in Co. Limerick, east of Askeaton.

The planned camera on the Crumlin Road/ Parnell Road/ Dolphin Road/ ­Dolphin’s Barn Junction in Dublin’s is not yet operational.

Gardaí said locations were selected based on fatal and serious injury collision data from the last seven years and speed data.

The nine static safety cameras are being funded from the Garda budget at a cost of around €2.4million over the next 18 months.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has also requested the development of a business case for the introduction of another 100 static safety cameras around the country.