Latest news with #clamped
Irish Independent
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Mayo councillor makes no apology for motion seeking to ban clamping in Castlebar
His comments follow a Castlebar Municipal District vote to ban clamping in the town. Speaking on Midwest Radio, IPA director Keith Gavin called on councillors to lobby local TDs for alternative enforcement methods, noting that council by-laws apply only to public streets and roads. Mr Gavin explained that the IPA has long campaigned for access to the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF), which would allow fines issued by private parking companies to be legally enforced. Currently, only certain operators such as private toll companies have access, with the Department of Transport citing data protection concerns He stressed that clamping is not the IPA's preferred method of enforcement, but remains the only viable option on private property, as parking officers there cannot issue enforceable fines without NVDF access. Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, who proposed the motion to outlaw clamping in Castlebar, said his priority was to protect constituents rather than address industry concerns. He cited numerous complaints from constituents, many involving the same privately owned car park near a pharmacy and Mayo University Hospital, where people were clamped under what he described as unreasonable circumstances. 'It's not our job to sort out the industry for them, it's our job to look after our constituents that vote for us and elect us,' he told the Irish Independent, 'A motion has been passed by the members directing officials to prepare a by-law and it will go out to consultation.' Until the by-law is drafted and goes out for public consultation, Cllr Kilcoyne said he won't know exactly what is in it but stated that the public are very clear in their view that what is happening here is not acceptable. One case he highlighted involved a woman who went to collect a prescription for her child from the pharmacy after just having seen a doctor. When she went to pay for a ticket but the machine was out of order, she took a photo of the message on the machine. 'I have a copy of the photo' said Cllr Kilcoyne, 'The woman decided to run into the pharmacy to collect her prescription, came out, there's a clamp on the car, and the guy was standing around the corner laughing. That's just not acceptable.' He said this case was one of several in which motorists were clamped within minutes, often while carrying out urgent or essential tasks, with no allowance made for faulty ticket machines or genuine emergencies. 'These guys are merciless, they clearly don't realise that many people are in a situation where if they get clamped that is half their week's income. People on fixed incomes, pensioners, people with disabilities or people on job seekers. There is no mercy shown, no consideration of the facts.' 'I can't think of anything that's more lucrative than charging €150 for somebody who runs in to get a prescription for their child.'
Mint
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma issues ‘shoot-at-sight' orders in Dhubri, claims 'active group intends to damage temples'
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday issued shoot-at-sight orders in the state's Dhubri district after a 'group became active with the intention of damaging our temples.' In a message posted on X, the CM said, 'A particular group has become active in Dhubri with the intention of damaging our temples. We have issued shoot-at-sight orders.' In another post on X, he said that he visited Dhubri on Friday to assess the situation in the district and if needed, will visit again. 'The Assam government is with you,' he told the residents of Dhubri, while assuring them safety. 'I assured the people of Dhubri that no one needs to live in fear,' he wrote in his post. The CM was visiting Dhubri after communal violence took place following the incident where cow meat was thrown at Hanuman Mandir on the festival of Eid. During his visit, Sarma asked law enforcement officers to follow "zero tolerance" against elements who desecrated temples, Naamghars and sacred places. He further stated that those involved would not be spared. "I visited Dhubri and directed law enforcement officers to follow ZERO tolerance against elements who desecrate our temples, Naamghars and sacred spaces. The incident of throwing beef at the town's Hanuman Mandir should have NEVER happened, and those involved WON'T BE SPARED," Sarma wrote in a post on X. In a later post on X, the CM stated that he would guard the Hanuman Baba temple all night long if it was needed. "This time on Eid, some anti-social elements committed a disgusting and condemnable crime by throwing cow meat in the Hanuman temple of Dhubri! If required on the coming Eid, I myself will guard Hanuman Baba's temple all night long," the post read. With no new untoward incident reported following communal tension, the Dhubri district administration on Tuesday withdrew the prohibitory orders from the headquarters town and allowed all shops to open, news agency PTI reported, quoting officials. The law and order situation in Dhubri town deteriorated following protests after pieces of meat were found near a temple in Dhubri town on Sunday. Tear gas shells were lobbed to disperse the agitators on Monday and restrictions on public movement were imposed. Dhubri District Commissioner Dibakar Nath told PTI that the situation in Dhubri town is under control at present. "We have revoked yesterday's (Monday) order. Shops and markets have opened now," he added. Nath also said that several peace committees have been formed in various sensitive localities of the town, comprising members from both Hindu and Muslim communities. On Monday, miscreants reportedly attacked vegetable vendors and e-rickshaw drivers near Dhubri Magistrate Colony and New Market. Police rushed to the scene and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob and regain control of the situation, the PTI report said. To prevent further flare-ups of "communal tension, riot risk or violent protests", the administration immediately clamped restrictions under section 163 of BNSS and ordered all shops and market establishments in the town to remain closed. It also prohibited the assembly of five or more people in any public places, intending for demonstration or meeting or procession.
Sunday World
10-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man convicted after using vice grips to clamp leaking brake pipe hose
Aidan McCullagh had the brake pipe hose, which was leaking, clamped to the front driver's side wheel of his Honda Civic. A Letterkenny man who used a pair of vice grips to clamp a leaking brake pipe has been convicted in court. Aidan McCullagh had the brake pipe hose, which was leaking, clamped to the front driver's side wheel of his Honda Civic. Letterkenny District Court heard details of the incident. Sergeant Vincent Muldoon told the court that gardai were operating a checkpoint with the Road Safety Authority at Cashelshanaghan, Letterkenny, on June 20, 2024. Sergeant Muldoon outlined that it was the day before the start of the Donegal International Rally. The NCT on the vehicle was out of date since November 2022, the court heard. Sergeant Muldoon said that the car was examined by an RSA inspector. The brake pipe hose was leaking and was clamped by the vice grips to the wheel and Gardai seized the vehicle. Judge Eiteáin Cunningham said she was satisfied that the vehicle was tampered with. Mr Rory O'Brien, solicitor for McCullagh, told the court that his client – a 20-year-old of Rann Mor Walk, Oldtown, Letterkenny – was taking the car to a mechanic who was to assist him in making repairs. Aidan McCullagh leaving Letterkenny District Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10 Mr O'Brien said the car was fully licensed and insured, but McCullagh accepted that his NCT was out of date, although he had a date booked. 'He was endeavouring to do his best,' Mr O'Brien said, adding that his client was tendering a guilty plea to the court. McCullagh, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was fined €200 for the driving of dangerously defective vehicle, an offence contrary to section 54 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. Judge Eiteáin Cunningham also fined McCullagh €150 for having no NCT. McCullagh was given five months to pay the fines.
Miami Herald
05-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
U.S. Trade Deficit Plummets in April
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services narrowed sharply in April, falling to $61.6 billion compared with $138.3 billion in March as tariffs clamped down on global trade. U.S. goods imports fell significantly in April, dropping 16.3% from March, the data released from the Commerce Department showed, as tariffs on exports from China and other countries weighed on trade. The sharp drop reflected the fact that importers had rushed to bring many goods into the United States at the beginning of the year to get ahead of tariffs ordered by President Donald Trump. Exports rose slightly, up 3% from the previous month. Trump has imposed tariffs on a variety of industries and trading partners since coming into office in January, raising the U.S. tariff rate to levels not seen in a century. The president has temporarily suspended some of the tariffs to allow for trade negotiations, but many are set to snap back into effect in early July unless deals are reached. 'The big swing in the trade deficit reflects the global trade war,' said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. 'With the tariffs, goods imports collapsed in April, leading to a much smaller trade deficit.' Zandi added that a smaller trade deficit would likely result in higher gross domestic product in the second quarter, since a trade deficit is subtracted from that figure. But he cautioned that the tariffs would still have negative consequences for American consumers and the economy. 'The higher U.S. tariffs have severely disrupted global trade, which will soon show up as higher prices for many of the goods Americans buy, weighing heavily on their purchasing power and spending, and by extension, the broader economy,' he said. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Copyright 2025
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Drone ban enforced in Thane amid security concerns
Image used for representative purpose only THANE: The Thane City Police Commissionerate has clamped down on drone operations, imposing a comprehensive ban on all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within city limits, officials said on Wednesday. The prohibition, effective from 14 May to 3 June, comes as authorities step up security measures across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The order specifically forbids all drone flights, regardless of purpose or operator, police officials told TOI. "This is a preventive measure to maintain law and order," said a senior police official who requested anonymity. "The potential misuse of such devices could pose a significant threat to public safety." Dr Shrikant Paropkari, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters-1), Special Branch, who issued the order, warned that violators would face stringent action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with other applicable laws. The ban extends to all forms of aerial equipment, including remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, paramotors, hand gliders, and hot air balloons. This development follows similar restrictions implemented by Mumbai Police from 5 May, after the DGCA designated several areas as 'red zones' for drone operations. Recently, a 23-year-old was booked for flying a drone in Powai, highlighting the authorities' zero-tolerance approach. Residents have been urged to report any unauthorised drone activity to the nearest police station or by calling the emergency number 112.
