Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell this evening warned of a potential deluge of legal challenges to road traffic prosecutions after a Co Donegal man had a speeding charge overturned because the notice was not issued in Irish.
The High Court decided today that proceedings challenging that prosecution could be struck out on consent of both Mr Mac Giolla Chomhaill and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Ms Mitchell said that now that public attention had been made aware that the Road Traffic Act is not available in Irish it could potentially lead to further court challenges.
"A Supreme Court judgment in 2001 did indicate that while the public was not entitled to have an entire case heard in Irish, it is entitled to have all documentation, including legislation and court rules, provided in Irish," she said.
"The Road Traffic Act may be just one of many pieces of legislation that is in breach of the Official Languages Act. This could potentially lead to further court challenges or judicial reviews in road traffic and other cases?" she added.