The Gardaí have taken to Twitter over the last few days shaming rule breakers who have illegally parked in disabled spaces and on footpaths across the country.
An Garda Síochána have hit out at people parking illegally as they enforce this year’s Make Way Day, a public awareness day highlighting the needs of people with disabilities in public spaces.
Gardaí from areas including Santry, Naas, Tipperary, Laois, Athy issued fixed charge notices to vehicles parked without disability permits and shared snaps of their illegally parked vehicles to Twitter.
In Laois alone, Gardaí handed out four €150 fines to drivers illegally parked on Friday.
In Naas, Gardaí were furious to see a driver parked across two disabled parking bays.
Gardaí have asked drivers to “please respect these spaces and keep them clear for permit holders only.”
They have also shamed drivers for parking on footpaths, blocking the way for pedestrians with disabilities.
“Never park on footpaths or use designated disabled parking bays without a proper permit,” An Garda Síochána posted on Twitter.
Garda Colin Hanley from Tipperary Garda Station met with Derry Peters from the Tipperary Wheelchair Association on Friday and reminded the community to “respect the needs of people with disabilities in the public spaces we all share.”
Advocates for Make Way Day have been shaming those obstructing the way for those with disabilities across social media and encouraging others to share pictures of violations.
According to the Disability Federation of Ireland, “advocates are all over the country drawing attention to the problems caused by things left on the footpath.”
