-
-
Author: Declan Tierney
~ 3 minutes read
A District Court judge in County Galway has taken issue with the locations in which GoSafe vans are parked to catch speeding drivers.
Judge James Faughnan went on to strike out three speeding summonses at Tuam District Court against motorists who were detected driving through Williamstown.
The judge, who passes through Williamstown on his way to sittings of Tuam Court, believes that the speeding vans parked in the village are unfairly positioned.
He said that they were parked in the location of the local church and views of the vans were being obstructed by parked vehicles on either side.
“I have a huge issue about visibility. They are hidden behind other vehicles which was not what they were supposed to be about,” he remarked.
The Judge said that during his travels, he has come across them parked behind vegetation and added that, even at his own GAA club in Leitrim, they were parked at the entrance where they could not be seen.
“It is shocking beyond belief. The presence of Go Safe vans at any location was to serve a purpose – not alone to detect speeding motorists but also to act as a warning for drivers to slow down, so they have to be visible at all times,” he said.
“But if they cannot be seen, then they don’t provide motorists with an opportunity to reduce their speed,” Judge Faughnan added, as he struck out the three summonses against the motorists detected for being over the limit.
And in Ballinasloe District Court two days later, Judge Faughnan expressed his displeasure with the location in which the speed vans are parked at Brackernagh just outside the town.
He noted that they were parked halfway on a footpath and hidden from view which should not be the case he said.
Meanwhile, Cllr Declan Geraghty (Ind) raised the matter at a local authority meeting when he said that motorists passing through Williamstown were ‘sitting ducks’ when it came to the presence of the speed vans.
“The way they are parked, they are obstructing elderly people coming out of Mass during weekdays in particular. It is a disgrace what they are doing.
“It just seems to be a money-making exercise when they are there to warn motorists to reduce their speed while going through the village. They cannot be seen and this situation has to be addressed by Galway County Council and the Gardai,” said Cllr Geraghty.
But he added that what was even more annoying was the fact that some motorists were being issued with fines while travelling at 5km/h or 6km/h above the speed limit when some discretion should apply.
(Photo: The Go Safe speed van located in front of parked car outside Williamstown Church).
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
99% reduction in number waiting over a year for cardiology appointments at Portiuncula Hospital
The numbers on waiting lists over 12 months for cardiology appointments at Portiuncula Hospital i...
Thunderstorm warning for Galway from 2pm
A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning has been put in place for Galway from 2pm It covers the west...
Lidl lodges planning application for new store in Loughrea
Supermarket firm Lidl has lodged a planning application for a new store in Loughrea. It’d b...
Call for ‘fast-tracking’ of community CCTV grants to tackle anti-social behavior and dumping across Galway
There’s a call for community CCTV grants to be ‘fast-tracked’ to urgently tackl...
Record 1,033 home commencements for Galway in first four months of 2024
A record 1,033 home commencement notices have been recorded across Galway in the first four month...
County Galway rent prices rising faster than city
Rents across County Galway are rising slightly faster than those in the city. The latest Rent Pri...
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue mark coming of age with brand new boat
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue celebrated its 21st birthday by taking delivery of a new, modern bo...
Ten Galway exhibitors all set to join line-up for Bord Bia Bloom 2024
An impressive ten Galway exhibitors – predominantly from the food and drink sector – will feature...
Ballinasloe facility to be turned into domestic violence refuge
Galway County Council is to proceed with the acquisition of the former St. Brigid’s Nurses’ Home ...