Residents see red over parking tickets

Car owners, who had been happily parking outside their Loughrea homes for the last three decades, were fined after a complainant had handed in pictures of them on double yellow lines to the Gardaí.

Residents of Moore Street all got parking tickets after double yellow lines ‘went in overnight’, exclaimed Loughrea man Cllr Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher.

“A certain individual went and took photos of cars parked outside their homes where they’ve been living for 30 years. He went up to the Council and the Gardaí to ensure tickets were issued. I don’t know where this man is from but he’s taking photos of all the cars about the town on double yellows and going up to the Guards,” he fumed.

The Fine Gael representative said if residents parked on nearby Barrack Street their side mirrors were kicked off.

Cllr Joe Byrne said there had to be a change to traffic management to paint double yellow lines outlawing parking.

Executive engineer Gerard Haugh said the Loughrea traffic management plan had been adopted in 2004 and the traffic layout changed in 2011. The double yellow lines are in place since then.

Cllr Maher said these householders had been parking at this location for three decades. “They’re up in arms. They’re saying they won’t pay the tickets.”

Mr Haugh said it was not feasible to allow parking on Moore Street given the narrowness of the road. He suggested residents could apply for parking permits to park in nearby streets legally.

Executive Engineer Damien Mitchell said the area would need to be surveyed but if there was not enough space applying for residents’ permits was the only option.