Madam, - You reported last week that the district courts cannot sustain the level of motoring offences coming before them.
I would suggest that a straight copy of the UK system, where magistrates' courts are used, could well resolve the problem.
Basically, three magistrates sit on the bench together and have the authority to hand down substantial fines and/or short prison sentences. Potential magistrates are recruited from a broad social spectrum - retired policemen, union officials, housewives, etc. Obviously there is a period of training, which is progressive as well as mentoring. Common sense is an important element in the selection process.
I feel certain that there would be more than enough civic-minded citizens who would be pleased to do such voluntary work.
The courts could sit at times which would be more offender friendly - e.g. no loss of pay or work time. Most importantly the system in the UK is under judicial control.
There are some 350 such courts (an Irish equivalent would be 25) and for those interested there is an excellent website - www.jsboard.co.uk - Yours, etc,
ALAN COOK, The Coppins, Foxrock, Dublin 18.