A journalist who refused to pay a speeding fine as an act of civil disobedience has won his day in court.

Des Nix (62) of Foxfield, Raheny, in Dublin, refused to pay an €80 fine to the State, which he believes is now "a slush fund to pay gangster bankers".

He got it for allegedly driving his car at 63kph in a 50kph zone, at Tonlegee Road, north Dublin, on October 28 last.

But Mr Nix, pictured, who worked as a reporter for 22 years with 'The Irish Press' and as a sub-editor with the Irish Independent, wrote to gardai to tell them: "I am returning this speeding ticket unpaid as a gesture of civil disobedience."

"I refuse to pay any fine connected to it on the basis that the Exchequer is now primarily a slush fund to pay gangster bankers, elitist judges and greedy politicians."

He appeared at Dublin District Court yesterday, where he faced a possible maximum fine of €1,000.

But the case was struck out because the prosecuting garda was not in court.

Mr Nix asked if his expenses would be paid but the judge told him he was "doing well as it is".

Mr Nix told reporters: "I regard these bankers and bondholders as gangsters if they take money from people who never had dealings with them.

"It is unacceptable that the government should act as their bag men."

Belfast Telegraph