Almost 2,000 fines were issued to motorists in Dublin for parking in disabled bays last year
Almost 2,000 fines were issued to motorists across Dublin's six garda districts last year, nearly 700 more than were issued in 2023.
The Irish Wheelchair Association told
The Journal
that the possibility of using new technologies to detect if motorists are permitted to park in disabled parking spaces should be explored.
According to data provided to Fine Gael TD Emer Currie, the largest increase in penalties in Dublin was seen in the south inner-city, where a total of 772 fines were issued last year
Advertisement
As of July this year, 682 fines have been handed down to motorists for parking in disabled bays in the same area.
Technologies similar to those used to detect uninsured drivers could be a way to achieve higher enforcement rates, the Irish Wheelchair Association has said.
The Garda insurance detection app uses details provided to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland through the Irish Motor Insurance Database. A similar database could be built to determine if a motorist is permitted to use disabled parking spaces, the association says.
While Dublin saw the highest increases when compared with figures from 2023, almost every other region of the country also had more fines issued last year. Penalties for motorists reached a total of 4,819 nationwide.
The Irish Wheelchair Association has welcomed An Garda Síochána's increased enforcement for the proper use of disabled parking bays.
They said the spaces are critical for people with physical disabilities, adding: 'We would like to see more focus on enforcement in all areas around the country.'
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Almost 2,000 fines were issued to motorists in Dublin for parking in disabled bays last year
AN INCREASE IN the number of fines issued to motorists in Dublin for parking in bays reserved for those with disabilities has led to calls for new technology to be used for a further crackdown. Almost 2,000 fines were issued to motorists across Dublin's six garda districts last year, nearly 700 more than were issued in 2023. The Irish Wheelchair Association told The Journal that the possibility of using new technologies to detect if motorists are permitted to park in disabled parking spaces should be explored. According to data provided to Fine Gael TD Emer Currie, the largest increase in penalties in Dublin was seen in the south inner-city, where a total of 772 fines were issued last year Advertisement As of July this year, 682 fines have been handed down to motorists for parking in disabled bays in the same area. Technologies similar to those used to detect uninsured drivers could be a way to achieve higher enforcement rates, the Irish Wheelchair Association has said. The Garda insurance detection app uses details provided to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland through the Irish Motor Insurance Database. A similar database could be built to determine if a motorist is permitted to use disabled parking spaces, the association says. While Dublin saw the highest increases when compared with figures from 2023, almost every other region of the country also had more fines issued last year. Penalties for motorists reached a total of 4,819 nationwide. The Irish Wheelchair Association has welcomed An Garda Síochána's increased enforcement for the proper use of disabled parking bays. They said the spaces are critical for people with physical disabilities, adding: 'We would like to see more focus on enforcement in all areas around the country.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
27-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Cork community thrills to the sight & sounds of vintage cars at fundraising run
Participants far and wide enjoyed a leisurely drive through lush countryside where meticulously-restored vehicles became evident against panoramic views. That allowed a lively atmosphere, filled with camaraderie and shared stories of a terrific outing. Beneficiary of the staging was the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) that provides support to people with physical disabilities, offering a wide range of services, including assisted living, community centers, accessible transport, and sports programs like IWA-Sport. IWA operates 59 Community Centres and 51 wheelchair accessible and affordable homes nationwide, as well as providing many hours of assisted living services to more than 2,000 adults and children. No surprise, large numbers from across the South West Region convened for the Dromtariffe promotion. 'We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who came out to the vintage and classic car run in aid of a worthy cause. A truly great day supported a fantastic organisation and the donations flooded in,' said Dromtariffe Vintage spokesman Anthony Holmes. 'The Irish Wheelchair Association advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and works to influence public policy. Donations to the IWA help fund these vital services and support their mission of empowering individuals with physical disabilities,' he said. Organisers thanked Dromtariffe GAA for the use of their Club Complex at Rathcoole, numerous sponsors, marshalls, club members and volunteers for their support.
Irish Examiner
24-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
'Not fit for purpose': Cork's N25 slammed as unsafe with 5,000 homes now at risk
The head of Cork County Council's roads directorate has said it's one of his 'greatest disappointments' that the government has repeatedly refused to provide proper finance to upgrade the "unsafe" N25 between Carrigtwohill and Midleton. The situation has become so bad that the substandard state of the road could potentially stall the proposed creation of 5,000 new homes in the area. Mayor of County Cork Mary Linehan-Foley has vowed to use her office to seek an urgent meeting on the matter with minister for transport Darragh O'Brien. The road upgrade has been stalled since 2022 when then minister Eamon Ryan pulled funding for it. Padraig Barrett, head of the council's roads directorate, addressed the issue at a council meeting after a number of councillors warned the road has become dangerous and gridlocked. Mr Barrett said the council had only been allocated €45,000 for some minor safety works along it 'which wouldn't even cut the hedges for you". He said that it is a major priority for the council to get it significantly upgraded as "it's absolutely essential" to the safe travelling of thousands of motorists every day. Cork County Council was told that traffic conditions on the road in the past four years 'has changed dramatically'. File picture: Dan Linehan Mr Barrett said traffic conditions on the road in the past four years 'has changed dramatically'. It will likely be next year when the council finds out if any money will be forthcoming from the under the National Development Plan to upgrade the road. A joint motion from Fine Gael councillors Anthony Barry and Rory Cocking called on council management to liaise directly with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department of Transport on the issue. 'There has been a lot of accidents on the road recently and unfortunately some of them have been fatal,' Mr Cocking said. Mr Barry said there have been no meaningful improvements on the road since 1968. Up to 5,000 new houses proposed for the area could be put in jeopardy due to the absence of sustainable travel and development plans. Councillors are hopeful the IDA along with TII and Irish Rail would put pressure on government for proper investment in the N25, as one of the busiest roads in the country. Mr Barry said: We all know it's not fit for purpose. It's crazy from a health and safety perspective. The council's southern division chairperson, councillor Ann Marie Ahern, said the council must insist that minister O'Brien comes down to Cork to see it for himself. Ms Ahern and Independent councillor John Buckley said the Lakewiew Roundabout on the N25 at Midleton is now gridlocked to such an extent that at peak times it can take up to 30 minutes to get on or off the main road. Mr Cocking suggested that the only way to resolve that is to build a flyover connecting Midleton and the Whitegate road. 'We need to get a solution to this before the schools start or all hell will break loose,' Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said.
