More than 2,700 motorists avoided fines and penalty points last year after administrative and technical failures rendered speeding charges invalid, according to the annual report from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). The errors, involving static safety cameras operated by private contractor GoSafe on behalf of An Garda Síochána, resulted in a €445,000 shortfall in uncollected fines, as reported by the Irish Examiner.
The first failure emerged in February 2025 on a newly installed camera along the N17. Gardai discovered that the device, which had been active for two months and issued 1,871 fines totalling €300,000, lacked valid calibration certification. Authorities subsequently refunded all affected drivers and cleared their associated penalty points. A second issue arose in June 2025 concerning an N25 camera in County Kilkenny after an offender challenged the accuracy of the listed location. Fixed charge notices incorrectly placed the device in Ballynamona, Mullinavat—a townland 12 kilometres away from its actual site in Ballynamona, Glenmore, on a road that does not intersect Mullinavat. This clerical discrepancy invalidated 914 charges worth €146,000 issued between May 30 and June 30, 2025.
Under the existing private agreement, GoSafe’s contract with An Garda Síochána contains no provisions allowing the State to recoup the financial losses stemming from such operational errors. While GoSafe recorded a post-tax profit of €840,000 and received roughly €23.6 million for camera provisions in 2025 out of €200 million in state contracts secured since 2012, accountability mechanisms are shifting. The C&AG report noted that An Garda Síochána has instituted stricter controls over static cameras and fixed charge processing systems, while GoSafe implemented daily compliance checks to verify calibration status. Additionally, the Garda Office for Safety Camera Management now mandates that all new cameras undergo integrity reviews prior to integration into police IT networks.
Follow-up Questions
Will GoSafe face financial penalties for the camera defects under future contracts?
Current contracts do not allow the State to recoup these losses, but tighter supervisory procedures have been introduced
What remains unclear: It remains unclear if future state procurement tenders will introduce financial liability clauses for contractor-side technical errors
Were all affected motorists successfully refunded by authorities?
Yes, An Garda Síochána issued refunds to all drivers who had paid fines associated with the uncalibrated N17 camera
What remains unclear: Whether all drivers impacted by minor location discrepancies have successfully claimed administrative adjustments is not fully detailed
Perspectives
Accountability and Oversight in Ireland’s Speed Camera Network
Financial Impact
State Auditor Perspective
Highlighted €445,000 in uncollected fine revenue resulting from defective equipment and location errors
“An Garda Síochána missed out on €445,000 in fines due to the defects, according to the annual report”
Contractor and Police Response
Operated under commercial terms with no contractual provisions requiring the private vendor to absorb losses
Corrective Action
State Auditor Perspective
Stressed the need for formalised procedures to prevent motorists from avoiding statutory penalties
“GoSafe is now conducting daily compliance checks to ensure that every camera is operating with certified calibration status”
Contractor and Police Response
Implemented daily compliance checks and mandatory pre-installation reviews by police management
