Trying to save money by not paying for a TV licence, as is required by law, proved a very costly mistake for some viewers who were fined heavily for the offence when their cases came before Judge Vincent Deane at Loughrea District Court.
In all there were 10 prosecutions for the offence listed for the December 3 sitting of the Court, but Gearóid Geraghty, solicitor, acting for An Post, told the Judge that eight of the prosecutions could be struck out as the people involved had regulated their affairs after being caught without licences.
However, an official from An Post gave evidence of a licence inspector calling to a home in Eyrecourt on April 24 last and the householder admitted there was a TV in the home, but no licence for it. Judge Deane imposed a fine of €250 and order costs of €150 to be added on top, a total of €400. The cost of €160 for the required licence also has to be added in, bringing the total up to €560.
Another defendant, from Portumna, who had also been detected not having a TV licence, and not having regulated their affairs by obtaining one and paying the arrears, was also fined €250, plus €150 costs, and in addition bore the cost of the required license of €160, bringing the out-of-pocket cost to €560.
Judge Deane fixed recognisances at €100 in the event of either of the defendants wishing to appeal his ruling.
