A man who obstructed council staff and gardai as they attempted to remove his illegally parked caravan was fined €1,000 when he appeared at Galway District Court this week.
Terry McDonagh (44 ) with an address at 4 Saint Martin’s Park, Trim, Co Meath was brought before Judge Mary Fahy charged with occupying land at IDA Business Park, Parkmore West, Galway, on June 10, 2008, without the consent of the owner of the land with caravans and a campervan in a manner likely to cause damage, affect amenities, render land unsanitary or unsafe, and substantially interfere with the land.
Inspector Sean Glynn told the court that there had been a number of complaints about caravans parked illegally at Parkmore Industrial Estate and a notice to remove the vehicles had been served. On June 10, 2008, at 1.20pm gardai, in co-operation with Galway City Council, went to the scene but failed to get the defendant to move his caravan. Inspector Glynn said that the defendant was then arrested for being obstructive to council staff and gardai trying to remove the caravans. He added that the vehicles were eventually removed.
Defence solicitor Sarah O’Dowd said that the defendant, who is a father of nine children, eight of whom are living with him, had been down in Galway for a holiday and that it wasn’t a permanent arrangement. She said that McDonagh did not feel he was in a position to remove the caravan because of the children.
“So, he was not there for housing needs. He was on holidays,” said Judge Fahy.
Inspector Glynn then told the court that the defendant had previous convictions for larceny, tresspass, and road traffic matters.
Judge Fahy determined that McDonagh should not have parked in a location which was very busy and causing an obstruction. She then fined the defendant €1,000 with four months to pay
