M50 - How far do the fines go back?

Tim76

Hi all,

I missed paying the toll over 5 years ago, I moved house shortly after so i never received any penalty letters. It was only months after missing the payment that i actually realised this, i didn't fancy paying the fine that had built up at that stage so i didn't contact the operators.

Anyway, i have not had to use the M50 in the past 5 years but i need to use it soon and in the same car that I originally drove thru with all those years ago.

My question is: If i drive through now and pay the toll will I actually be caught for the toll that I originally missed and will i be subject to a massive back payment for the fine?

plodder

Call them and see what the damage will be before you use it again. No need to mention all you said here. Just say you have been racked with guilt over it And hope they don't read this forum...

Tim76

I would imagine if there is no statute of limitations and they are not writing off bad debts then the damage would be substantial!

plodder

Worth reading this page. It's likely you'll be passed on to the solicitors mentioned.

https://www.eflow.ie/help-guidance/faqs/penalties/ive-missed-the-payment-de-1/

The worry would be that legal costs have been added to the original penalty. But, I'd look for documentary evidence of this, and they may be willing to do a deal. Also, was it for a single incident of non-payment, or multiple? A single incident should be more leniently handled.

Maybe email them and ask about the general policy without giving your details. They might or might not tell you. Another point, the statutory charges are around €150 for a single incident, and maybe there are legal costs associated with going to court (if they did). But, the debt itself is still €150 approx. It doesn't mount up year by year afaik (but not an expert). So, maybe it's not as great as you think.

Reading the Irish Times only a few weeks ago and there was an article on people being fined huge amounts for non payment of tolls on the M50. You should have taken care of it when you originally used the road.

TheValeyard

Lot of tolls were written off OP, you could be clear.....



https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.rte.ie/amp/911948/

Tim76

Deleted User wrote: »

Reading the Irish Times only a few weeks ago and there was an article on people being fined huge amounts for non payment of tolls on the M50. You should have taken care of it when you originally used the road.

And i would normally do that. The problem is I went on holidays, forgot to pay the toll, came home and moved house so i did not receive any warning letters, by the time i realised that I had forgotten to pay the toll many months had passed and I didn't fancy paying through the nose for an honest mistake.

Francie Barrett

Tim76 wrote: »

My question is: If i drive through now and pay the toll will I actually be caught for the toll that I originally missed and will i be subject to a massive back payment for the fine?

You will be fine, just pay the toll this time.

canonball5

I wouldn't stress OP. I had a single charge that I forgot to pay well over 5 years ago and received all the letters from them and their solicitor.

I tried coming to a deal with their solicitor and they wanted nearly 500 quid for a single 3.10 payment. Eventually I argued with them and asked both them and their solicitor to send me proof of this charge in writing, surprise surprise I'm still waiting 5 years later. They aren't arsed taking you to court over 1 or 2 tolls and I've heard nothing more about it. Just make sure you pay all tolls in the future!

joeysoap

I imagine they deal in ‘real time’ traffic 99.9 % of the time. So you cross the bridge, purchase a pass at a pay shop before the deadline and I’d be very surprised if their system picked something so out of date. The car could have multiple owners since.

CeilingFly

Deleted User wrote: »

Reading the Irish Times only a few weeks ago and there was an article on people being fined huge amounts for non payment of tolls on the M50. You should have taken care of it when you originally used the road.

But if you read the article these are all repeat offenders with hundreds of unpaid tolls that just take the piss.

A single journey that was forgotten about has never made it to court as they have common sense.

Also, if its still on the system they will nearly always do a deal and wipe any fines if you sign up to video billing.

Above all be respectful and pleasant - from what i know the staff have a certain amount of leeway and they give the nice pleasant caller the most leeway (same almost in most places)