Up to a 100 motorists break the 30 m.p.h speed limit into the village of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, every hour.
This was revealed at the local district court when the first three prosecutions for speeding offences detected by the Gatso vehicle (a van with speed-checking equipment) were heard.
The speed-checking system is part of Operation Lifesaver on trial in the Louth-Meath Garda Division. Garda Eamonn Mulvey of the Special Traffic Corps based in Drogheda said up to 300 speeding offences are regularly detected at Dublin Road, Dunshaughlin, during a three-hour check period. As well as recording the speed of the offending vehicle, the computerised Gatso system provides video and photographic evidence complete with the vehicle's registration number, time, date and place.
Most detected motorists pay the £50 statutory fine but three men who ignored the preliminary notice appeared before Judge John Brophy at Dunshaughlin District Court. Michael J. Garvey, Cherrywood Park, Clondal kin, Dublin; Michael Gleeson, Main Street, Bundoran, Co Donegal, and John Fox, Drumbee, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, were each fined £150 for driving at speeds between 45 and 50 m.p.h.
Fox said he was not aware of the speed check as an unmarked vehicle was involved and that the radar device was positioned too close to the 30 m.p.h. zone sign. He also argued the preliminary notice he received should have been signed by the Garda involved.
Judge Brophy told him that too many deaths on Irish roads were caused by high speeds.