Council to contact gardaí over 'sneaky' speed vans near Kildare/Laois border

GARDAÍ will be contacted by a local authority after numerous complaints from drivers caught by a “sneaky” speed van near the Kildare/Laois border, due to an incorrect speed limit on Google Maps.

On the first day alone, 120 people incurred fines although they thought they were obeying the speed limit, the latest monthly council meeting was told.

Google still indicates 80kph on the busy Laois road from Maganey to Tankardstown, Barrowhouse, despite a reduction to 60kph earlier this year.

At a recent council meeting, local councillor Aisling Moran said: “I am sure there are other roads in Laois where the same thing is happening. I have never been contacted as much about anything as about this and I have told people who contacted me to put in an appeal.” 

Cllr Moran was supported by fellow councillors, as she asked council management to raise the issue with gardaí. The speed vans are operated by private company GoSafe on behalf of gardaí, in conjunction with the department of justice.

Cllr Moran repeated concerns she raised at a municipal district meeting earlier in October, when she said that most of the drivers fined were local people who thought the speed limit was still 80kph.

She said the motorists include a nurse who needs her car for work but faces a disqualification, because she was caught by the speed van three times in one day and will have 12 penalty points.

Cllr Moran also claimed the speed van was “sneakily hidden between two trailers on the widest and straightest part of the road”.

She said: “People using the road did not realise it was a 60kph zone, because 80kph was coming up on Google. That speed van is constantly going back to the same spot now, because it’s a good revenue stream.” 

She added: “A man told me that he spoke to ‘the man in the van’, who told him that he caught 120 people on the first day. He said it was one of his best days ever.

“I would like to know how many of those people were doing well under 80kph, because 80% of those who contacted me were doing from 62kph to 64kph. We also need 60kph signs at all junctions on that road.” 

The Independent councillor said the penalties should be quashed, as the motorists using sat nav thought they were in an 80kph zone. She believed that speed vans should be there to catch people doing 120kph or 130kph and to improve safety, not for revenue collection.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy from Stradbally agreed and said: “We all rely on Google Maps now but it’s still coming up as 80kph. People didn’t even know they were caught until they got the first fine in the post and then they got two or three more. I don’t know if we can do anything about it now, but we should try.” 

Cllr Ben Brennan claimed the “sneaky” speed van in Barrowhouse was parked on private property, which was in breach of regulations. He said: “There are people who are gone off the road and they don’t even know it, until they get a letter telling them they have 12 penalty points and are disqualified.” 

“It’s a handy way of making money, but it’s at the expense of people who didn’t know they were breaking the speed limit. Can gardaí be contacted about this, because any penalty points should be taken away.” 

Cllr Pádraig Fleming said there are five junctions on that road, between Athy and Maganey, but none have signs indicating that it is a 60kph zone. He spoke to the council’s area office and they installed a 60kph sign on the Maganey side and they planned to erect more.

Cllr Ollie Clooney commented: “These speed vans are in safe enough places and they should move to areas where people are in danger, especially where pedestrians are crossing the roads. These speed vans are costing the taxpayer €40m a year and they are in the wrong places.” 

After checking with officials, cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh said Laois Co Council would send a letter to An Garda Síochána, outlining councillors’ concerns.

Council director of services Simon Walton said the 60kph speed limit would remain until next year, when by-laws would be reviewed.

He said: “There will be a review of speed limit by-laws in 2026. If members are minded to reintroduce an 80kph limit in that area, they can do so again.” 

Mr Walton said that, as a short-term solution in the meantime, the council would arrange the installation of repeater signs along the road, warning drivers that they are entering a 60kph zone.

The nationwide reduction from 80kph to 60kph was introduced as part of a government initiative to improve road safety.