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NEWS IN BRIEF On-the-spot fines are demanded
ONE in four motorists penalised in Ireland for not obeying the rules of the
road will not have penalty points applied to their driving licence —
because they are not Irish.
New figures show that almost 440,000 drivers have received points since
their introduction in 2002 — but almost 109,000 of these drivers
do not hold an Irish driving licence and so the points cannot be applied.
It means that tens of thousands of people are breaking traffic laws with
no impact on their insurance premiums.
The Irish Insurance Federation has said on the spot fines should be introduced
so people would not get off.
Non-licence holders include drivers from the North, tourists in hired
cars and citizens of other countries who work in Ireland.
Drivers can receive penalty points for 36 offences including speeding,
dangerous parking, failing to obey a garda’s directions and not
wearing a seatbelt.
The figures show that almost one in five drivers caught speeding and not
wearing a seatbelt do not hold an Irish licence while almost all penalty
points issued for careless driving were for non-licence holders.
Murder charge
A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his wife.
David Bourke appeared in court after his 46-year-old wife Jean Gilbert
died last week from stab wounds after a disturbance in the couple’s
home in Castleknock in Dublin.
Despite the efforts of medics Ms Gilbert lost her fight for life.
A post mortem examination conducted by state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy
found the victim died from multiple stab wounds.
Judge McVeigh remanded the 48-year-old accused until September 6.
Bourke is originally from Mullingar.
O’dea exhibition
An exhibition by renowned artist Jonathan O’Dea entitled London
Ireland is taking place at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith from
Friday, September 7 to Friday, October 19, with a preview of the exhibition
taking place Thursday, September 6 from 7-9pm.
Originally from Castlebar in Co. Mayo, O’Dea moved to London at
the age of 12 and later attained a degree in Irish Studies and History
from the London Metropolitan University and also studied Art and Design
at St. Martin’s Art College.
Since 2002 the artist has had over 40 exhibitions throughout Ireland and
Britain and his exhibition at the Greater London Authority in City Hall
in 2006 received nominations for The Turner Prize.
n For further details phone 020 8563 8232 or log onto www.irishcentre@irishcentrehammersmith.co.uk |
