Man fined €1,000 for parking in disabled bay

Man fined €1,000 for parking in disabled bay


A MAN who parked in a disabled parking bay while shopping was described as ‘mean’ and ‘miserable’ and fined €1,000 at last week’s sitting of Westport Circuit Court.
Vincent Higgins of Caherlea, Tuam, Co Galway appeared before the court to appeal the disqualification of his driving licence which he lost when he failed to appear before Westport District Court. 
Mr Higgins stayed in the car while his passenger went shopping and was given a fix penalty notice when he was approached by a garda. He was late in paying the fine and was in England when the matter was brought up in court. His solicitor, Mr Declan O’Callaghan said his client was self employed who supplied parts to garages in the west and the loss of his licence would end his business.
Judge Rory McCabe said the idea of parking in a disabled bay for your own convenience was mean and miserable and that Mr Higgins had no consideration for the person who was not able to park in the designated spot. He agreed to remove the disqualification of the licence but fined him the maximum penalty of €1,000 and told him that it was an ‘expensive little shopping trip’.