Aran’s mini-bus operators win battle with ticket wardens in island parking
Mini-bus drivers on the Aran Islands, who were coming to the attention of ticket wardens for parking in spaces deemed unauthorised since a bye-law was passed, had all matters struck out against them at Cill Ronán District Court on Thursday.
Hearing that the word ‘Bus’ was painted onto the surface of the area in question, Judge Mary Fahy said that she had a doubt and would have to strike out the twelve summonses before the court.
The County Council, which took the prosecution, said that a by-law enacted in 2011 restricted parking on the piers at Cill Ronán and Cill Éinne unless drivers had permits issued by the harbour master.
Bertie Mullen of Cill Rónáin, Inis Mór, pleaded not guilty to six counts of failing to comply with these regulations between May 30 and June 6 last year – there were two summonses each for different times on June 1 and June 6.
Patrick Mullin, of Cill Éinne, pleaded not guilty to four counts during the same time period. And, Martin Flaherty, of 1 Cill Rónáin, pleaded not guilty to two counts. At the request of the three men, the case was heard almost entirely in Irish.
Community warden, Martin Mannion, told the court that he had witnessed the unauthorised parking, and had issued the fines for €75.
Twenty one days were allowed to pay, but the money was not forthcoming, and summonses were subsequently issued.
See full court report in this week's Connacht Tribune.