This article is from page 24 of the 2011-04-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
A GROUP illegally parking beside a graveyard in East Clare were described as “disgraceful” at yesterday’s Joint Policing Committee meeting at the offices of Clare County Council.
According to one East Clare councillor, a group of three illegally parked caravans have been causing distress and embarrassment to local people wishing to access the grave- yard.
“I know at the moment in one village in East Clare there are three caravans parked illegally outside a graveyard who are causing a great disturbance,” said Cllr Joe Cooney (FG).
“It is embarrassing for people using this graveyard and it is also embarrassing for the local people who have people using their backyard as a toilet. Can anything be done to move these people on or what can we do to resolve this situation?”
The matter was raised as part of a discussion on issues related to 24hour parking in a number of Clare venues throughout the summer.
Addressing the meeting, a Clare Garda spokesperson said that the local gardaí can issue on-the-spot fines for all parking offences but stressed that the force does not “target any particular groups”.
In response to a question about large-scale illegal parking and fes- tivals and events in North and West Clare, Clare chief superintendent John Kerin said that the local force did not have the storage facilities or manpower to impound 60 or 70 caravans at the same time.
He said that the legislation as it currently stands is difficult and stressed that the same rules must apply to holiday-makers who park illegally as to serial parking offenders.
“This legislation is not the easiest in the world to enforce. If the illegal parking is taking place on private property, we must get a statement from the landowner saying that it is preventing them from using their property and then give 48 hours for them to remove themselves from the location,” he said.
“The issue of nomads travelling around the county during the summer is a different entity. We do try and enforce the legislation that is there but it is not always easy legislation to enforce.”