Council won't forgive parking fines imposed on novena worshippers

Unrepentant Galway city officials have insisted they will not forgive the parking fines imposed on 500 worshippers who parked illegally during the city's annual novena.

Parking officials began the blitz on illegal parkers outside Galway Cathedral during the nine-day novena, after receiving a significant number of complaints about the extent of illegal car parking.

Around 100 offenders were ticketed during the last five days of the novena, with more than 500 fines handed out by the end of the week, according to city officials.

The council is now adamant that it will not revoke the €40 fines, insisting that offenders were given repeated warnings about their parking.

"This problem has been going on for years. The city council had warned that it would be issuing tickets, and they were told from the altar to park correctly or there was the potential to get a ticket," said a spokesperson for the council.

Complaints

"For the first few days we were fairly light with them, but we received a significant number of complaints in relation to parking and we had to send the wardens down," he added.

One of the most serious complaints arose when a coach operator was prevented from parking in its designated spot by illegal parkers.

"Every type of illegal parking you could imagine, they did it. Footpaths, emergency access and entrances were all blocked. Baby buggies or wheelchairs could not pass. Very few of those ticketed will have a case to make," said the council official.

Some local councillors have criticised the council's stance as "over the top". 

They have also questioned whether the move was more about raising revenue than keeping the roads clear. 

However, officials remain unrepentant.

"This was not a solo run for revenue raising, as some have suggested. It was in response to complaints of ordinary citizens around the city," said a council spokesperson.

The novena attracted over 100,000 people into the city during its nine-day run.

Now, novena organisers say they are hoping to address the issue before next year's event.

Galway City Mayor Terry O'Flaherty suggested last week that organisers should consider implementing a shuttle bus or Park and Ride service.