Number of fines for parking in disabled bays has halved

The number of fines being handed out for illegally parking in a disabled bay in Cork has halved since the fine was increased to €150, according to Eddie Hawkins, the parking operations manager with the city council's traffic division.

The increased fine, which was brought in by Minister Shane Ross on March 1, is thought to be the reason for the decrease in the fines being handed out by the Traffic Wardens of Cork City.

Mr Hawkins said they are still handing out two to three tickets a week to people for illegally parking in a disabled bay, but the parking operations manager said that is half of what they would usually be handing out.

Since March 1, the fine for illegally parking in a disabled bay was raised from €80 to €150.

If the charge is not paid within 28 days, the penalty rises to €225, to be paid within the following 28 days. If this is not paid, then a summons is issued for a court appearance.

Sergeant Niall Daly of the Cork City Traffic Corps said illegally parking in a disabled bay is something that the Gardaí have been cracking down on also.

“On four or five occasions over the year, Gardaí have implemented Operation Enable which targets the illegal use of blue badges and disabled parking spaces.” Sgt Daly said during one such operation Gardaí seized eight badges over the course of one day in Cork City alone and every time they carry out the operation people are prosecuted.