Thousands of invalid penalty points have been issued in Ireland to motorists who do not hold domestic licenses.

Around 156,000 drivers received points that could not be enforced because they did not have an Irish licence.

This conundrum has meant thousands of illegal drivers have escaped road penalties.

It has been suggested the loophole has protected 115,000 UK and Northern Ireland drivers from sanctions.

The remainder either did not produce documentation or owned an Irish-registered car without a licence. This made up an incredible 41,000 people.

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But these unlicensed drivers can expect retrospective points when they apply for new documentation, according to the Government.

The Department of Transport has insisted the data on all these individuals has been stored on file.

Since the inception of penalty points in Ireland in 2002 authorities have issues 653,832 notices.

Meanwhile, in other news, a leading cash-in-transit security firm has launched a new measure to protect its vehicles from armed robberies.

The new system comes amid rising van raids in Ireland.

Group 4 Securicor's new design aims to making it virtually impossible for robbers to take cash from vans.

Employees held at gunpoint will no longer be able to hand over cash.

Money will also be carried within a dye-protected container, with ink staining technology, which can destroy usable notes.

The designers hope this will deter thieves wanting to steal cash.

(PR/JM)