The public will be able pay court fines via the internet under a new system launched today.
Traditionally charges had to be settled by cheque, postal order or cash to the office dealing with the offence.
The Courts Service said the new Courts Accounting System (CAS) was rolled out to make it more convenient for people to clear fines.
It will also allow family law payments to be received electronically and the payment of some court fees, as well as saving the state some €1 million annually in manpower.
Sean Quigley, director of finance for the Courts Service, said: "This new system allows us offer court users across the country choice and ease of access in relation to financial dealings with the courts.
"It will make it easier to pay fines and will speed up payments in the family law area.
"The system allows immediate access to paying fees in the Small Claims procedure and also allow us automatically refund bail monies once a case is ended."
The system has been operating on a pilot basis since last year and has now been rolled out in 13 cities and towns throughout the country.
It is to be introduced in four further venues between now and October, and become fully operational nationwide within a year.
It is estimated that the country's 40 district courts deal with over 700,000 financial transactions every year, including fines, bail and family law payments.