Laois County Council issues reminder to public about disabled parking bays

Laois County Council has issued a reminder on its website in relation to parking in designated disabled parking bays.

The council posted an update on its website reminding people that it is an offence to park in a designated Disabled Bay without displaying a valid Disabled Parking Permit.  

"Where illegal parking in a disabled person’s bay is detected, a member of An Garda Siochána or a Traffic Warden employed by a the local authority can issue a Fixed Charge Notice.

"The person liable to be prosecuted for the offence has the option, in lieu of going to court, of making a fixed charge payment in the amount of €150 within 28 days from issue of the Notice or to pay that amount increased by 50%, i.e. a fixed charge in the amount of €225 within the next 28 day period. 

"If no payment is received within 56 days, court prosecution proceedings are initiated.

"The Disabled Parking Permit must only be used by the person to whom it is issued. The vehicle on which it is displayed must be parked to facilitate access by the holder, whose name and photograph are displayed on the card. Any abuse or misuse will result in its immediate withdrawal by the issuing authority.

"Laois County Council do not tolerate abuses of these spaces and enforce the Bye-Laws accordingly."

In Portarlington, the Love Port community group said it has received a number of messages lately in relation to disabled parking bays. 

The group shared this post on Facebook and received a huge response: 

"We have recently been inundated with messages from people who are feeling very frustrated by people parking in Disabled bays who don't need them. The people who need these parking spaces are constantly up against this situation.  The people with disabled stickers have them for a reason. We have been asked to make people aware that this can cause a lot of bother with people who need to use these spaces."

Over 100 people responded to share their views with many saying that there are not enough disabled parking spaces available. 

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