People dropping off donations to Donegal Town charity shop hit with parking fine

There has been a call for ‘common sense’ to be used in relation to the issuing of parking tickets after people dropping off charity shop donations were issued with fines.

Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal, Cllr Micheál Naughton (FF) raised the matter at the June meeting of the MD. 

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“Three people were at the Saint Vincent de Paul shop in Donegal Town dropping stuff off and they got a ticket,” he said. 

“I believe people should have half an hour in relation to the by-laws. 

“This is someone just going into the Saint Vincent de Paul charity shop, dropping off clothes. They are doing a good cause and they are leaving with a sour taste in their mouth.

“I can understand if a car is parked a long time or causing an obstruction, but you have to use common sense, and common sense is something that doesn’t seem to be around. It is very frustrating and very annoying.”

He added that the traffic warden had taken a photograph of the parties as they were driving off.

“If someone is moving off in a car, can traffic wardens take a photograph?” he asked. “In all my time as a councillor, I have never heard of that.”

Area Roads Officer Mark Sweeney replied that the area in question was a footpath. 

“A vehicle parked on a footpath will be getting a ticket,” he warned. “If we allow one person to park on a footpath, we may as well give up. Footpaths must be kept clear for people with mobility issues.”

Regarding a photograph being taken, Mr Sweeney said: “If a ticket is challenged, it has to go to court and the warden has to have a photo.”

He explained that in a typical situation where a ticket has been issued, the warden then takes a photo to show the ticket on the windscreen. In the case of a drive off, the warden is entitled to take a photograph showing the vehicle at the scene or leaving the scene where the alleged offence took place. 

In relation to the timescale, Mr Sweeney stressed: “It is an instant ticket for parking on a footpath or double yellow line.”

The roads officer proposed a solution for those dropping items off to the Saint Vincent de Paul charity shop. 

“There is a loading bay at the shop on the opposite side of the road, reserved  for commercial vehicles making deliveries,” he said. “That shop is now closed so we  can take that back into normal parking if that helps.”

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