Speed Vans Generate €765,440 in Fines Across Kilkenny Districts

URGENT UPDATE: New figures reveal that speed vans in the Kilkenny and Carlow garda districts have raked in over €765,440 from motorists between January 2023 and June 2025. The revelation, confirmed by data provided to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchu, raises serious concerns about road safety and the effectiveness of current speed enforcement measures.

The data shows that the Kilkenny Garda district alone accounted for €362,800 in fines, while the Carlow district collected €293,040. A notable €109,000 was generated from speeding violations in Thomastown, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in these areas.

Officials report that revenue from speed vans dropped significantly from €378,320 in 2023 to €327,520 in 2024, marking a 13.4% decrease. This decline is particularly concerning as it falls behind figures from neighboring counties like Tipperary and Cork, where speeding enforcement appears more effective.

In light of these findings, MEP Ní Mhurchu is advocating for a “get tough” approach on excessive speeds, especially in rural areas where road safety is gravely impacted. “Speeding is a major factor in road accidents,” she emphasized.

A staggering total of €32,437,002 has been collected from speed vans across Ireland from January 2023 to June 8, 2025. However, the revenue generated has not translated into improved safety, as Garda reports reveal that they paid out over €44 million to private speed camera operators during this same period. This alarming trend indicates that the speed van system is functioning at an overall loss.

In a sobering context, a European Commission report from 2020 estimated that between 10% to 15% of all crashes are directly attributable to speeding, with that figure rising to 30% for fatal accidents. Tragically, 174 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2024, with 52 fatalities linked directly to speeding. “There are 52 families across the country mourning loved ones because we have failed to tackle speeding in any meaningful way,” Ní Mhurchu stated, emphasizing the human cost of inadequate enforcement.

As authorities continue to assess the effectiveness of speed enforcement in protecting road users, the focus now shifts to whether more speed vans will be deployed in accident black spots to combat the rising toll of fatalities. The public is left to wonder: what changes will be implemented to make our roads safer in the wake of these troubling statistics?

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.