It’s claimed increased fines and even penalty points are needed to tackle illegal parking in disabled bays in Ennis.
Although the number of parking violations countywide fell by over 33% last year, there was a surge in the number of motorists using universal spaces without a valid permit in the county town.
It was also the most common offence committed in Kilrush with eighteen fines dished out for parking in a disabled bay without a blue badge last year.
There’s been a significant reduction in overall violations in West Clare’s capital, though falling by 36%.
Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says while the number of disabled bay infringements is disappointing, he credits the wider reduction to their Parking Warden’s carrot rather than stick approach.
In Ennis, the total number of parking fines dropped by 35% with over 1,000 fewer issued than the year before.
Despite this the number of people parking in a disabled bay without a valid permit rose by over 9% with 152 offences, the highest amount recorded in years.
At present this offence warrants a €150 fine.
But Clare Leader Forum Co-Founder Dermot Hayes believes this charge should be increased and potentially include penalty points, as he says the impact on people with disabilities is immense.
An Ennis business owner who’s just celebrated 25 years in his trade believes there isn’t enough parking in the town which is leading to violations.
Three businesses have closed in the Market in the last six months, with a fourth set to close in the near future.
Clare County Council is in the process of expanding the cloister car park to 200 spaces, while the Ennis 2040 DAC is exploring the possibility of a future multi-storey near the Temple Gate.
But Barry O’Driscoll of Precious Pets on Summerhill believes the planned loss of parking elsewhere will put businesses like his at risk.
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