A JUDGE has been named in the Dail as allegedly having had penalty points removed from her driving licence by gardai.

Judge Mary Devins was identified by TD Clare Daly, who said the Government has known about the "systematic writing off of motoring offences" for almost a year.

Along with fellow Opposition TD Joan Collins, Ms Daly named Ms Devins in the Dail.

Whistleblower

The deputies said it was "outrageous" that points had been deleted from thousands of licences by gardai.

It came following revelations from a garda whistleblower that at least two judges, a television presenter and sports stars were among those who had their driving record wiped clean.

Gardai had been using their discretion to wipe points from certain licences since the system was introduced a decade ago, it was alleged.

Both Ms Daly and Ms Collins spoke out despite warnings from the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Michael Kitt, not to do so.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar last week confirmed the receipt of information alleging inappropriate use of legitimate garda procedures.

The matter was referred to Justice Minister Alan Shatter and justice officials are examining the claims.

The whistleblower compiled the information from printouts of the garda PULSE system relating to 50,000 cases where points had been removed.

Ms Daly said: "Honest gardai are being victimised because they have uncovered the systematic abuse of motoring charges and terminations to those of some very powerful and influential people."

Judge Devins is a District Court judge in Mayo and is married to former Fianna Fail TD Jimmy Devins, who was elected to Sligo-North Leitrim in 2002.

comurphy@herald.ie