More than 200 offences relating to controversial Kilkenny speed camera heard at local court in one day
The N25 static camera and the debate around its signage has been debated in the Dáil on multiple occasions in recent months
A total of 216 offenses relating to the N25 static speed camera were heard before a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court this week.
Ninety-one people were convicted for speeding at the camera which has generated national controversy due to the much higher rate of fixed charge notices issued in relation to other similar cameras around the country.
Fines ranging from €250-€400 were given to those convicted while they will also receive five penalty points for the offences which occurred between December 25, 2025 and January 25, 2026.
There were also a large number of adjournments which are scheduled for another court hearing on October 13.
The camera generated over €6 million in fines between the start of its operation in May of last year and this June with around 3,600 motorists caught speeding in that month alone.
Many road users have criticised what they feel is poor signage in the vicinity of the camera which doesn’t give enough notice on the reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h.
However, the reduced speed limit and camera itself were introduced after a sustained local campaign to improve safety on what was statistically one of the most dangerous roads in the country, having claimed the lives of 12 people in 20 years.
The issue has been raised in the Dáil several times with Tánaiste Simon Harris saying that the fault lay with people speeding rather than substandard signage.
Divisional Roads Policing Inspector Paul Donohue also believes motorists need to be more aware of the speed limits around them and that the reduction in collisions and fatalities since the camera was introduced is the most important factor.
“There’s a lot of people giving out about the signage, but the way I look at it, there’s a lot more signage for that speed camera than there is for the speed GATSO vans on the road,” he said.
“It’s an 80 kilometre an hour zone and that’s what the people of south Kilkenny, Slieverue, Glenmore wanted and pushed for. They pushed Kilkenny County Council and An Garda Síochána to get the speed reduction and to get a speed camera with TII.”
“Now that we have that camera, unfortunately, we have people now that are complaining about it. It’s hard to win, but the number of fatalities and accidents on that road have been so excessive over the last number of years.”
“Fortunately, we haven’t lost a life since the camera has went in and at the end of the day, that’s our main objective,” he concluded.
Article funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme