Over 5,600 unpaid parking tickets owed across Limerick
Council is owed €175,265 in fines across the last two years
MORE than €175,000 is owed to council in unpaid parking fines across Limerick, new figures have revealed.
Data presented to councillors at this month’s metropolitan meeting reveals that over the last two years, 5,615 parking charges issued from traffic wardens have yet to be paid.
As a result, council finance chiefs are waiting for €175,265.
It’s sparked a call for an “overhaul” of the parking charges system, and for fines to be taken from a salary.
In answer to a question from Labour councillor Conor Sheehan, local authority executive Liam Browne explained how up to three reminders to pay a fine are sent to motorists before they are summonsed to a District Court hearing if it remains unpaid.
“The current system to me doesn’t act as a deterrent,” said Cllr Sheehan. “The fact there are thousands of fines unpaid indicates to me that it’s not particularly an effective regime. People who are not paying their parking fines are getting away with it.”
Stronger measures are needed, he argued, saying Revenue needs to be given the power for a fine to be paid at source - effectively from one’s salary or benefit payment.
“That would be far more effective. Sending these things to court is a waste of money. The only people who make money from this are solicitors and barristers,” the northside councillor added.
He stressed that Limerick city centre has some of the lowest parking charges in the country.
On-street parking costs just 25 cent for 15 minutes and €1 per hour. Parking fines range between €40 and €150, however.
Councillor Sheehan believes the biggest problem comes in the shape of parking “illegally and dangerously” in cycle lanes, loading bays and bus lanes, as opposed to overstaying.