Motorists exploit speed loophole

The law will change next year to remove the loophole

Motorists from Northern Ireland are exploiting a loophole in the Republic's driving laws, according to a senior Garda officer from Donegal.

Speeding motorists in the South can face penalty points or lose their licence but drivers from Northern Ireland face at worst a fine.

The law will change next year following an agreement signed at Stormont.

Sergeant Ignatius Larkin said he hoped this would bring the message home.

"Continuing to speed could now include disqualification as well."

Sergeant Larkin said the majority of people do obey the rules of the road when they are travelling South.

Sergeant Larkin said he felt concerned about recreational bikers, and motorists ignoring the laws in the Republic.

"On good weekends a lot of bikers from Northern Ireland come to Donegal and when they are on the good roads they tend to drive at high speeds."