Toll defaulters to be listed in 'Stubbs Gazette'

FOR THE first time, motorists who failed to pay tolls on Dublin’s M50 motorway have had their names and addresses published in Stubbs Gazette.

This week’s edition of the trade protection gazette records some 27 judgments given by the courts for sums ranging from €900 to more than €3,500. In all cases, costs were awarded against the motorist involved.

The listing of a judgment against an individual in Stubbs Gazette generally results in damage to the credit rating of those named, as the gazette is widely consulted by most banks and other lending agencies. It would not be untypical for an individual to be refused a loan for a car or even a mortgage, due to appearing in the Gazette as having had a judgment registered against them.

A spokesman for the National Roads Authority (NRA) confirmed this was the first time judgments against toll defaulters had been published.

The highest fine published was registered against a Dublin vehicle owner, Thomas Iveagh of Rossfield Avenue, Brookfield, Tallaght. The NRA was awarded a judgment amounting to €3,514.40 plus €221.03 costs against Mr Iveagh, according to Stubbs Gazette. Mr Iveagh’s profession was recorded as “gentleman”.

The smallest judgment was for €900 and was recorded against Michelle Barford of, Whitechurch Crescent, Ballyboden, Dublin 16. Ms Barford’s occupation was recorded as “lady”.

NRA spokesman Seán O’Neill said in all cases the authority provided many opportunities for toll defaulters to settle their fines and only registered judgments against repeat offenders.

He said 88 per cent of users pay before 8pm on the day following travel and a total of 96 per cent of all trips are paid before solicitors are involved.

Motorists who have not registered for a tag or a video account incur a charge of €3 for using the barrier-free toll on the West Link.

This rises to €6 if it is not paid before 8pm on the day after travel. If this is not paid within a further 14 days, an additional fine of €39.50 is applied, bringing the total to €45.50. After a further 56 days a further penalty of €98 is applied, amounting to a total of €143.50.

After this, the case is referred to solicitors who write to the motorist seeking payment. If this is not successful a court case is instigated but the case can still be settled before judgment.

Following judgment, motorists are again given the opportunity to pay the fine before the judgment is registered in Stubbs Gazette.