BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Gardaí in Galway are seizing an average of 100 untaxed vehicles per month at ‘lightning’ roadside checkpoints, the Connacht Sentinel has learned.

Over the weekend, several cars were seized and impounded at routine checkpoints on the N6 Bothar na dTreabh in the city.

Their owners face fines totalling up to €850, an impound release fee of €135 and a daily impound charge of €35.

A Garda spokesperson said that between 30 and 40 cars are being seized in Galway City each month, with an average of 100 in the wider city and county area.

Under new legislation in 2010, Gardaí have the power to impound any vehicle where the tax is out of date for more than one month, although officers can use their discretion.

Previously, owners had up to three months to tax an out-of-date vehicle before it could be seized.

“Several vehicles were seized at the weekend as part of a routine checkpoint. There are checkpoints set up on an ongoing basis around Galway for a variety of reasons, and not necessarily specifically to check for tax, NCT and insurance.

“If Gardaí are checking for drink driving, using mobile phones, or for criminal activity, if they come across an untaxed vehicle, it will be impounded.

“The warning should go out to motorists that they need to keep their documents in order, because these checkpoints appear for a variety of reasons,” the Garda spokesperson said.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel