Traffic fine payment posted in March only received in June!

bduffy

Facts:
Caught with phone in hand in midland town while driving in February.
Fine arrives in March.
Signed and sent back form 2 weeks later (took photo for records) through post (no proof of postage)
Form stamped as received in Garda office in Clare in June (3 months 1 week later)
Over 56 days so forms returned and Court notice to be issued.

Question: Has this happened to anyone else recently?

The reason I ask is that the original forms and copy of my license were sent back and they look water damaged. They might have been left in a bag somewhere....?

Options: Turn up in court, state the facts, argue that sending in a signed copy after the 56 days would be worse than not sending it at all!

Cheers!