Council confirms reduction in parking fines issued in Limerick

THERE was a significant reduction in the number of parking fines issued by Limerick City and County Council last year, new figures have revealed.

The local authority has confirmed it issued "close to 10,000" fines during 2022 compared to 13,145 during 2021. The figures for 2020 are considerably lower give the restrictions that were in place due to Covid-19.

Separately, it has been revealed that Limerick motorists are among the best at paying fines which are issued for parking offences.

Of the almost 10,000 tickets issued during 2022, 1,232 remained unpaid as of January 30, 2023 - equating to a payment rate of more than 87%. According to figures supplied to the Irish Times, of the parking tickets issued in 2021, 1,426 were not paid within the required timeframe - equating to a payment rate of almost 90%.

Commenting on the figures, a spokesperson for the local authority said: "We feel that the process is working well as the numbers would show. Limerick City and County Council have, what might be considered to be, an efficient and informed appeals process based on quality records and well-trained traffic wardens."

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The spokesperson added that the council places "significant importance" on informing the appellant in the process of giving any appeals decision.

"As a result we’d anticipate that when they do query a fine and are informed about the basis they are more likely to accept the decision and pay the fine," he stated.

According to the Irish Times, the rate of payment of parking fines in other cities around the country can be as low as 60%. 

In 2021, Dublin City Council’s agents issued 39,917 fines, including clamps and fixed-charge notices. Figures show there were 2,868 appeals, of which just 475 were successful. The council said it achieved a 70% comliance rate.

Cork City Council says it issued 31,859 parking fines in 2021 with 26,239 (82%) being paid. Galway City Council did not provide figures - pointing out that motorists who do not pay parking fines are prosecuted before the courts.