Longford woman fined for parking in disabled bay twice within three weeks

A Longford mother of three, who admitted parking in a disabled bay twice within three weeks has been convicted and fined for one of the offences.

Mona Philomena McDonagh of 64 McEoin Park, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to parking in a disabled bay in Longford town on two separate occasions last year.

Garda Anthony Scanlon said he was on town beat patrol at 2.30pm on November 12, 2024 when he noticed and took details of a car parked without a permit in a disabled bay outside St Joseph's School and the driver approached him.

"I asked her if she had any reason to be parked there.

"There was other parking available in the area at that time and she said she was collecting her children."

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The court heard a fixed charge penalty notice was issued but it went unpaid.

Garda Lorraine Shiel said she was on mobile patrol at Ballymahon Street at 7.10pm in Longford town on December 1, 2024 when she observed a vehicle parked in a disabled bay without a permit.

A fixed charge penalty notice was also issued on that occasion but it also went unpaid.

Solicitor Michelle Reynolds said her client accepted she should not have parked in a disabled bay on either occasion without having a permit.

"In relation to the school she has said there was no other parking there.

"She was running in quickly to collect her kids and there were other ongoing issues at the time."

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In respect of Garda Shiel's charge, Ms Reynolds said Mrs McDonagh had been at her sister's house the day before, which is around the corner, and she had forgotten some medication there and went to collect it. "She is very apologetic and she knows she should not have parked there." 

Judge Bernadette Owens decided to convict and fine the defendant for the first offence and she imposed a €300 fine with nine months to pay.

She decided to adjourn sentencing for the second matter until March 3, 2026 to monitor Mrs McDonagh over the coming months.

Judge Owens said she wanted to assess whether she  is  behaving herself and staying out of trouble.  

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