Council urged to stamp out illegal parking in accessible spaces

SOCIAL Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara urged the Council to continue to work with Gardaí to focus on the issue...

SOCIAL Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara urged the Council to continue to work with Gardaí to focus on the issue of illegal parking in accessible parking spaces in Limerick.

The answer, he said, is expanding the Think Before You Park campaign and issuing fines to motorists who illegally park in accessible spaces, particularly in areas where this occurs most frequently.

In July, the City North representative asked how many parking tickets were issued to vehicles illegally parked in accessible parking spots across Limerick since 2022. The results, he considered “stark” with 345 in 2022, 455 in 2023, 549 in 2024, 449 in 2025, and 205 tickets issued in the first half of this year.

“While we only have figures for instances where motorists were caught in the act by our traffic wardens, the number is likely higher, particularly in the evenings after Council workers have finished for the day and given the consistent under-resourcing of the Gardaí,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara suggested.

“It is, of course, an offence to park in an accessible parking space. If you don’t have a valid, up-to-date card the fine is currently €150 which rises to €225 if not paid within 28 days. Ideally, I’d be calling for these fines to be increased even further but that’s ultimately a government decision,” he added.

According to the Social Democrats councillor, the impact of this illegal parking on motorists, who require the use of accessible parking spaces, is significant.

“If you’ve made the effort of getting your license, buying and converting a vehicle, applying for a disabled parking badge, buying fuel, and travelling into your city or town, it’s deeply hurtful to arrive at one of the accessible spaces only to find someone illegally parked in it. This all feeds into the extra cost of disability in this country, something that ranges from €488-€555 per week, according to statistics provided by the Disability Federation of Ireland,” he told the Council executive.

By not actively addressing this issue, Cllr Hickey-O’Mara took the view that the Council was disenfranchising residents from participating in their communities, something, he said, which can lead to increasing levels of minority stress, a feeling of being a Council afterthought, and ultimately isolation.

Director of Transport at Limerick Council, Patricia Liddy, stated that accessible parking spaces are a vital component of an inclusive transport network.

“They are designed to ensure that people with disabilities, reduced mobility, older persons and those with specific medical needs can access services, employment, education and social activities with dignity.

“Traffic wardens enforce the illegal use of accessible parking spaces and illegal parking on footpaths stringently. Limerick City and County Council continues to engage closely with An Garda Siochańa regarding the Think Before You Park campaign through a combination of public awareness (social media campaigns and promotions) and targeted enforcement where issues are most prevalent,” she concluded.