ATROCIOUS and dangerous parking has been exposed online to shame drivers – but gardai have warned it poses legal risks.
A number of online platforms carry sites that upload images of cars that are seen parked in yellow boxes and potentially block the emergency services.
Some show photos of vehicles that are so badly parked that they attract derision and scorn.
But gardai have warned of “civil lawsuits or defamation claims”.
A Garda spokesperson was asked: “If you see someone parking illegally, is it illegal to post the car registration online?”
She responded: “Posting a car registration online is not automatically illegal, but doing so can expose you to legal risks depending on the context.
“Posting a registration plate online while accusing someone of bad driving, illegal parking, or other offences could lead to civil lawsuits or defamation claims.”
The Garda spokesperson added: “Should you observe any type of road traffic related behaviour that you are concerned about such as dangerous driving or illegal parking, the best advice is to report the matter directly to gardaí instead of publishing the details on social media.”