By Chris Ashmore
SHOCK new figures have revealed that Donegal County Council issued almost 1,000 Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) to motorists who had parked illegally in disabled parking bays over the most recent two year period.
In 2023, the local authority issued 415 FCNs for the offence of parking in a disabled parking bay without a valid disabled parking permit.
And in 2024, the number of FCNs for the offence soared by around 25 per cent to 518.
The figures came to light following a question on the issue which was tabled by Cllr. Tómas Seán Devine at the June meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Council.
Speaking to the Donegal News, he said he was “very alarmed” by the numbers and he criticised those motorists who show “disregard” to disabled drivers by illegally occupying disabled parking spaces.
He noted that the real figure for the number of offenders could be even higher as the figures from the council do not include any FCNs issued by An Garda Síochána.
The fine for getting a FCN for parking in a disabled parking bay is €150, rising to €225 if not paid within 28 days.
Cllr. Devine pointed out that if you do not pay the fine and the matter goes to court, you can be fined up to €2,000 and could be imprisoned for up to six months.
He also called for more monitoring of disabled parking bays, especially in shopping centres.
As a user of disabled parking places, he knows only too well the frustration of coming to a designated space only to see it occupied by someone without a valid disabled driving permit being on display.
He recalled that on one recent occasion he came across a delivery lorry that was taking up two disabled parking spaces.
The enforcement of road traffic law, including provisions for public disabled parking, is under the remit of An Garda Síochána and local authority traffic wardens.
A number of cases have come before the local courts in recent times, including when two motorists were handed driving bans after they failed to turn up at Letterkenny District Court to pay fines for parking in disabled bays.
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