Judge Seamus Hughes has once again expressed his amazement that no one in Mullingar comes to court to answer a parking summons.
“It just amazes me,” he said, as he imposed fines totalling €2,250 and costs of €1,225 on drivers who flouted parking laws and then failed to pay their fines.
The offences included parking on double yellow lines, having invalid or out of date parking discs, and parking for more than an hour in a one hour zone.
“I’m amazed, there’s not one single person in court,” he said after 10 cases were heard.
He expressed his concern that summonses compelling people to appear before court are being ignored.
He estimated that around 200 parking cases had been before him since he came to Mullingar in March but that around 200 people had failed to appear.
Ms Vicky McCarthy, representing the council, confirmed that some people prosecuted do pay their fines after the court appearance but that penal warrants are also issued for those who fail to pay.
