A single mother from Poland was disqualified from driving at this week’s sitting at Ballina District Court for parking in a disabled space.
Katarzyna Nowdryta, Apartment 5 Garden Court, Garden Street, Ballina was observed by Garda Sharon O’Donnell to have her car parked in a disabled bay outside Shaw’s Department Store in Ballina. A fixed penalty charge was issued but not paid.
The defendant, who is a resident on that street and has a residential permit, told the court she did not realise she had parked in a disabled space.
Judge Mary Devins said she did not believe the defendant as she was a resident on the street and said she had decided that she was “more important” than people with a disability who may have needed the parking space.
The judge asked the unemployed woman why she was in Ireland: “Is Social Welfare here better than in Poland?” The defendant responded, “Definitely”.
Judge Devins convicted and fined Nowdryta €250 and imposed a one year disqualification.
