Upmarket cars including a Range Rover, several BMWs, Audis and Mercedes Benz models have been seized and a number of motorists are looking at the possibility of jail terms, in a clampdown on non-payment of M50 tolls.
In 2105, State-owned toll operator eFlow seized a total of 59 cars on the back of court judgements, just two of which appeared to have been registered outside Dublin – to addresses in Clonee, Co Meath.
The average bill owed to the State by these motorists was €28,627.
In January last year, a red 2008 Audi A4 was one of four vehicles seized in the Clondalkin area on foot of a court judgement for €1,592.80.
In February, a further four were seized, including a 2006 Range Rover, again a red car, which was taken in the Mulhuddart area after a decree for €4,146.
A white 2008 Fiat Ducato van was seized the same month, its owner having been hit with a judgement for €9,934.
Judgements
In March, a black Volkswagen Passat was seized from
Santry
on foot of a judgement for €4,146. It was one of three cars seized that month.
In April, five cars seized included a black 2007 BMW which was collected from Blackrock after a judgement for €10,706.
While this was not the largest sum by any means, it did represent the only car seized in 2015 in south east Dublin.
In August, the sheriff collected a silver BMW X3 in the Clondalkin area on foot of a decree for €13,228, while in September a silver 2007 Toyota Corolla was seized in the Santry area after a judgement for €15,277.
A blue 2002 Mercedes Benz was seized in Tallaght after a decree for €10,107.
The same month, the sheriff arrived at an undisclosed location to collect what was described as a 2011 registered BMW sport, but the vehicle was not at the address.
The owner subsequently made a settlement covering four outstanding judgements, totalling €6,118.
In December, six cars were collected, including a 2010-registered Nissan Primastar which was taken on foot of a decree for €1,600.
The case file notes that the owner was “a high offender” who had several other instances outstanding for another vehicle and was now facing criminal proceedings.
eFlow said the criminal summons was the latest tool in the enforcement proceedings against those who refuse to pay tolls.
When applied, a criminal conviction can carry additional court fines of up to €25,000.
Failure to pay these can see the defendant facing jail. The average number of tolls unpaid each year by these repeat offenders is 189.
