High Court upholds fixed-charge notice for average speed zone speeding in O'Brien test case
Edel O'Brien, a woman from Deansgrange, Co Dublin, is alleged to have driven at 131km/h in a 120km/h average speed zone on the M7 at Birdhill (west), County Offaly, on 7 September 2022. She was summonsed to appear before Nenagh District Court in March 2024. In a test case, the High Court rejected her challenge to the legal adequacy of the fixed-charge notice, with Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan holding that it complied with the relevant regulations and statutory provisions. The ruling, reported on 24 April 2025, affects more than 2,000 drivers allegedly caught speeding in the M7 average speed zone, with about 900 cases adjourned and 1,500 summonses yet to issue.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Edel O'Brien is alleged to have driven at 131km/h in a 120km/h average speed zone on the M7 at Birdhill (west).
- When
- The alleged speeding occurred on 7 September 2022.
- Where
- The M7 between junction 26 Nenagh and junction 27 Birdhill, County Offaly.
- Cause
- The average speed camera system was introduced on this stretch of the M7 in April 2022.
- Investigation
- A fixed-charge notice was issued to Ms O'Brien for the alleged speeding.
- Charges
- Ms O'Brien was summonsed to appear before Nenagh District Court in March 2024.
- In court
- The High Court, in a judgment by Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan, rejected the test challenge to the legal adequacy of the fixed-charge notice, holding that it complied with the relevant regulations and statutory provisions, and ruled in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Other details
- More than 2,000 drivers were allegedly caught speeding in the M7 average speed zone.
- About 900 other cases stand adjourned and 1,500 summonses have yet to issue pending the High Court decision.
- The average speed camera system was first introduced in Ireland in 2017 at the Dublin Port Tunnel.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEdel O'Brien is alleged to have driven at 131km/h on the M7 at Birdhill (west) where a 120km/h limit applies. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged speeding occurred on 7 September 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court rejected the test challenge to the legal adequacy of a fixed-charge notice for speeding in an average speed zone. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs O'Brien was summonsed to appear before Nenagh District Court in March of the previous year. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge held the FCN complied with the regulations and statutory provisions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMore than 2,000 drivers were allegedly caught speeding in an average speed zone on the M7 motorway. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAbout 900 other cases stand adjourned and 1,500 summonses have yet to issue pending the High Court decision. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe average speed camera system was first introduced in Ireland in 2017 at the Dublin Port Tunnel. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe average speed camera system was introduced on the M7 between junction 26 Nenagh and junction 27 Birdhill in April 2022. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Apr2025More than 2,000 drivers affected by High Court’s dismissal of challenge over alleged speeding in average speed zone
High Court ruling in a test case determining the legal adequacy of fixed-charge notices issued for average speed zone speeding, affecting over 2,000 drivers on the M7.
accused, female, irish (judged from name)