Motorist failed to pay speeding fine 'because dog ate it' - Mayo court is told

A woman has told a court she failed to pay a speeding fine because the dog ate it.

Sandra Weavers, 2 Cabaun, Keel, Achill, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to speeding.

Garda Evan Joyce told the court that on August 6, 2025, at approximately 6.39 p.m. Weavers’ vehicle was detected driving at a speed of 109km/hr by the Average Speed Camera located on the N5 at Lislackagh West, Swinford, a public place.

The speed limit for this area is 100km/hr.

Weavers, representing herself, admitted to speeding and said she had been driving an old vehicle at the time which was having issues with an out-of-date navigation system and this likely resulted in her speeding.

When asked by Judge Sandra Murphy why she had not paid the fine after receiving it, the defendant said her dog had likely eaten the fine when it arrived in the post.

“I don’t mean to be corny but we have a Burmese dog and when she was new, she was eating everything that came in,” explained Weavers, who said she had lost several parcels because of the dog’s behaviour.

The defendant added that the family had to change the way they receive their post which now arrives in a box at the end of their road as opposed to through the door.

“I know this sounds like 'the dog ate my homework', but that is what happened. I am so sorry for speeding and I am sorry on behalf of the dog.”

The court heard that Weavers has no previous convictions.

Describing Weavers as “an open and honest” person, Judge Murphy said she would keep the fine to the same amount it would have been had Weavers paid it when she received the original notice. She imposed the fine of €320.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.