Here's how much each Mayo town raised in parking charges in 2025

Mayo County Council generated more than €2 million through parking charges and fines during 2025, but revenue in Ballina and Castlebar has actually fallen below the figures achieved during Town Council days over a decade ago. 

Councillors were told at their recent monthly meeting that a total of €2,268,077 was raised, while operating costs were €1,142,733, leaving an overall surplus of €1,125,344.

A breakdown of income by town showed Ballina took in €624,429, with fines of €59,775, for a total of €684,204; Ballinrobe took in €64,926, with fines of €9,010, totalling €73,936; Castlebar took in €736,341 with fines of €29.330, totalling €765,671; Claremorris took in €123,470, with fines of €20,725, totalling €144,195; Westport took in €446,456, with fines of €91,225, totalling €537,681. Meanwhile, the carpark at Murrisk, which serves visitors to Croagh Patrick, took in €62,390, and there were no fines.

Westport-based Cllr Peter Flynn said he was pleased to see that Ballinrobe and Claremorris "are definitely playing their part now". However, he noted that revenue had actually declined in the county's two largest towns - Ballina and Castlebar - since their town councils were disbanded in 2014.

"In the town council days, when charges were half as low, Castlebar consistently raised €1m; the same applied in Ballina, where over €800,000 was generally collected. Now that figure is down at €684,000, even though charges have gone up. Westport is the only exception, where income rose from €150,000 to €537,000 and that is because we increased the range and invested in on-the-street charges. 

"I still think a question mark hangs over how the main towns aren’t taking in what they were doing during the town council days. It is not logical and has to be due to the system not being managed as it was, which shows we need more staff working on this.” 

Cllr Patsy O’Brien, who sought the data, said the amount of money collected in fines was noteworthy.

"It shows that [council] staff are very active and I compliment them as it is not easy to confront people in the times we are in.” 

He further suggested that the surplus of over €1.1 million should go towards local community projects, stating: “The General Municipal Allocation we get is insufficient. It has been the same at €2.1m over the last number of years, and seeing there is a €1.1m surplus in car parking charges, there is sufficient funding to give back to the communities."

Cllr Michael Loftus supported the call, also requesting that the public car parks in Castlebar be added to the online parking app, which he said is very convenient for people in other towns, where they can book in advance. 

“If this app was promoted more it could increase charges coming in, reduce fines, and add to the surplus for GMA next year, as Cllr O’Brien suggested.” 

Chief executive Kevin Kelly confirmed that Castlebar will be included on the app once the town updates its bylaws.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.