Castlebar clampers ‘kidnapping and impounding vehicles’ – Kilcoyne

Castlebar clampers ‘kidnapping and impounding vehicles’ - Kilcoyne


Edwin McGreal

Clampers in Castlebar are ‘kidnapping and impounding vehicles’ and the issue has ‘caused more grief and aggro’ in recent weeks, according to Cllr Michael Kilcoyne (Independent).
Cllr Kilcoyne was speaking at last Thursday’s meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District of Mayo County Council.
Cllr Kilcoyne said news that a car park at the back of Casey’s Centra on Lannagh Road in the town was illegal and did not have planning permission ought to mean that anyone whose car was clamped there should be entitled to their money back.
He also said that just before the meeting ‘a woman rang me in tears who had parked near GMIT to go into casualty (at the nearby Mayo General Hospital) with her husband’ and was clamped when she came out.
“The clampers are kidnapping and impounding vehicles. They don’t care if children are in the car, as was the case in one instance. It really is extraction of money,” he said.
Cllr Frank Durcan (Independent) said ‘Castlebar is getting a very bad name’ and reported of one woman who travelled to the town on a Sunday afternoon, went into Shaws’ and came out and her car was clamped. She had to pay a release fee of €120, he said.
“She said she will never shop in Castlebar again,” he said. “Two other cars were being clamped at that same time. A lot of money is being made, whoever is collecting it.”
Cllr Durcan said he will be submitting a Freedom of Information request to examine the planning permission provided in relation to car parking at the Royal Quarter.
Cllr Blackie Gavin (Fianna FΡil) said the issue has got worse since it was first raised. He said he had witnessed it twice himself and argued it is ‘doing serious damage to my town and has to be stopped’.