VRT in the firing line of car body

The new Cavan branch of the Irish Drivers Association elected Brian McDermott as chairman at its first meeting, in the Hotel Kilmore on Wednesday of last week. Brian takes on the task of recruiting and raising funds for the organisation, whose principal aim is a legal challenge to Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). He was there in the company of John Lernihan and John Doherty, the main speakers for the evening, who outlined the background of the association and gave some examples of how drivers of UK registered cars have insisted on their right to own and drive such vehicles in this state. John Lernihan from Co. Clare said the association was formed to give a voice to Irish drivers. "We give €5bn each year; it's time we had a voice. We're trying to build organisations throughout the country, where people can protect themselves." He maintained that the imposition of VRT on Irish citizens is illegal under Article 25 of the Treaty of Rome and said the authorities are "interfering with the constitution because they are taking your property at the side of the road". He was referring to cars being seized and said drivers are entitled to have their cases heard in court, citing article 38 of the constitution. Mr. Lernihan added that it was a breach of human rights to interfere with property under European law. He spoke passionately and mentioned the Lisbon Treaty referendum several times. It was the most powerful trump card we had and we gave it away because of fear, the told the audience. Fear was False Evidence Appearing Real, he said, and the authorities were getting away with their actions because people don't know their rights. He claimed that if you apply for a National Car Test (NCT) and don't get it within 28 working days, you are entitled to a free test. "It's written in to their contracts," he said, but people don't know that. "They'll follow the motorist because we're a handy take, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. It's time we got together and brought politicians to account. The reason for this meeting is to set up in this area, but it's up to you; if you don't want to do something, nothing will happen." John Doherty thought "we were living in the biggest corrupt state in the world, and I have no fear in saying that!". He pointed out that Polish, French or Spanish cars weren't being seized, as "that would open a can of worms" and gave the example of his son, also John, who took his case to court when gardaí seized his car at home in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. "No person has the right to lift your car and we proved that in court," he said and made several references to the 1992 Finance Act. The IDA recruited several new members at the Cavan meeting, and intends to hold more meetings in the coming months. See irishdrivers.org.