Mayo motorist was fined after parking ticket blew away
A Westport councillor has condemned the council's 'lack of empathy' over mislaid parking tickets.
At last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Brendan Mulroy said he wanted to bring to the members’ attention the case of a female motorist who was fined after the parking ticket she purchased at Mill Street in Westport blew away.
“The appeal was thrown out. I find it reprehensible that the council would be fining this lady when she has all the evidence that she paid for parking.
"This sends out a really wrong message. She couldn’t do a Paul Daniels on it and magic the ticket out of the air. I will not support this sort of behaviour.
“Obviously, there is no empathy in this council. If we want to go down the route of zero tolerance, fine, but this council always operated with a bit of dignity and respect for people. This town was never run that way and if it is, I will have no hand, act or part in it.
"I am very disappointed with the response from the top table, where the evidence is produced yet you are still told you are wrong. What is going on here is terrible.
"This lady paid for the ticket, it fell down on the ground, the money is in the machine, it is all a mistake. To just say that the fine is going on, I will not support this sort of behaviour in relation to a person who pays a parking ticket. That is not what Mayo County Council represents,” added the Fianna Fáil councillor.
Head of the district Seamus Ó Mongáin told Cllr Mulroy that he could not speak on the matter as it related to an individual and was thus confidential. However, he said it is the responsibility of the car owner to have their parking ticket in a visible location in the vehicle and if that isn't done a fine will be imposed.
Cllr Mulroy replied that he could not believe what he was hearing.
“I am stunned you can sit there and still not say I will look at this matter again.”
Mr Ó Mongáin said he would chat to Cllr Mulroy about the matter after the meeting.
