Speeding Summons to driver now diagnosed with Dementia

Dex Dexta

My uncle is in hospital awaiting transfer to full time Nursing Home care. He lived on his own for the past 40 years - never married. I keep an eye on his house and collect his post. Reg letter today with Summons for speeding.

Shortly after the date of the alleged offence he was diagnosed with Dementia (apparently an early sign is not being able to read the clock - and what is a Speedo if not a clock?), and shortly after that he was admitted to hospital and has been there ever sense. He has no memory of the alleged offence (he can remember being a 7 yr old but the intervening 80 yrs are largely a blank).

He cannot attend Court as he is incapable of reasonable thought (General Ward of Court application pending).

Should I write, explaining the situation, to the Clerk of the Court or the Superintendent in Charge at the station nearest the Court - it’s a speed van issue (assumed) as there is no named Garda/ Station - or should I contact both?

TIA.

Henry Ford III

I think that's a good idea.

Hopefully the court will display a bit of compassion.

Seth Brundle

Having watched my own father decline with a form of dementia, my heart goes out to you.

I do find it odd that he was able to drive around (and arrive at his destination) if his condition had already been as bad as you describe.

celticbest

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856364#Comment_121856364

https://www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/Guidelines/Driving-and-dementia_FactSheet_web.pdf

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856382#Comment_121856382

Not sure what you're directing me towards that for???

I'm well aware of how someone with dimentia behaves and as soon as my father started became forgetful, he stopped driving. By the time he couldn't recall most of his life, he wouldn't have been able to drive and this mental decline too many months.

edit: my original point was that while I've no idea about the OP's uncle, the post does come across as a "I got caught speeding when in my unncles car but can I blame it on him"

AndrewJRenko

Did you not get an initial notice of the fine and penalty points?

csirl

Not sure that letters to the Super or Clerk will get to the intended person.

Family members are allowed attend the District Court in the place of a relative if the relative is sick/infirmed. Could a family member turn up on the day and explain the situation?

Daniel son

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121856634#Comment_121856634

Happened to me before where the first notice about the speeding offence was a summons for non payment of fine. No correspondence before that re. initial notice of the fine and penalty points. No proof of postage either so everything got thrown out in the end.