The Pat Kenny Show Over 150 motorists avoided penalty points last year by making a charity donation
Nov 11, 2025
Michael Murphy, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, discusses the troubling trend of over 150 motorists evading penalty points through charitable donations, despite a 2014 High Court ruling against it. Susan Gray, a road safety advocate, passionately opposes this practice, calling it scandalous and urging for stricter enforcement. They delve into inconsistencies in penalties across counties, the need for judicial accountability, and the implications for public trust in road safety. The conversation highlights the broader implications of using charity as a loophole in the legal system.
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Inconsistent Use Of Charity Donations
- District courts are still allowing motorists avoid penalty points via charity donations despite a 2014 High Court ruling calling the practice inappropriate.
- Michael Murphy and Pat Kenny highlight inconsistent application across counties, undermining public confidence in the penalty point system.
High Court Ruling Should Supersede Practice
- The 2014 High Court ruling states penalty points law supersedes district court common law allowing poor-box donations in lieu of convictions.
- Michael Murphy urges intervention by the President of the District Court to enforce consistent practice nationwide.
Geographic Patchwork In Enforcement
- Data shows marked geographic disparities: some counties struck out dozens of offences while others had none.
- Murphy warns this patchwork approach risks repeat offenders escaping points and erodes trust in road-safety enforcement.