Council to use numberplate recognition amid concern over trucks taking toll-free detour

Up to 600 trucks a day are passing through the heritage town of Abbeyleix, most likely to avoid paying tolls on the M8

Andy Ring said trucks were passing through Abbeyleix day and night to avoid the toll. Picture: Dylan Vaughan.

A county council is going to use numberplate recognition technology to track trucks travelling through a heritage town amid concerns that the majority of them are doing so to avoid motorway tolls.

Up to 600 trucks a day are coming off the M7/M8 motorway at the Portlaoise junction for a 38km detour when travelling between Dublin and Cork.

They pass through the heritage town of Abbeyleix in Laois and then Durrow and Culohill before rejoining ...