Man disqualified from driving for parking in Portlaoise disabled space
The man wasn’t present when his case was called at Portlaoise District Court
A judge disqualified a man who told Gardaí he wouldn’t pay the fine for parking in a disabled bay in Portlaoise.
John Paul Delaney, 7 Clonrooske View, Knockmay, Portlaoise, wasn’t in court when his case was called. He was accused of parking in a disabled bay at Main Street, Portlaoise on October 14 last.
Garda Ciara Hough said she was on patrol when she spotted a 10LH registered vehicle parked in a disabled bay on Main Street in Portlaoise without a permit. She said there were a number of passengers but no driver in the car.
Garda Hough said when the driver returned from a fast food outlet he “stated that he had a son with a disability and the badge was at home” but she noted his son was not in the car. She issued a fine for parking without a permit and the man said he wouldn’t pay.
“He said he would take me to court to fight it,” Garda Hough told Judge Susan Fay.
She said the man had 28 previous convictions.
Judge Fay said the victims in people parking illegally in disabled parking spaces were people with disabilities. “They are there to ensure people with disabilities can participate in society,” said Judge Fay.
She disqualified the man from driving for three months and imposed a €300 fine.