Fine of €1,250 plus costs for having no motor tax when parked in Donegal Town

A man has been fined €1,250 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of €138 for not having tax while parked in Donegal Town.

Gerard McIntyre of Malinbeg, Glencolmcille was not present for the hearing at Donegal District Court on Wednesday, October 2. He faced a charge of parking without a tax disc at Upper Main Street, Donegal Town on January 16. 

The court heard evidence from a traffic warden that a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) was issued and not paid. 

Solicitor for Donegal County Council Donna Ferry told the court that tax arrears due at the time amounted to €1,580. She said that the defendant had two previous convictions for not having tax and one for parking on a disabled bay. 

In respect of the defendant not being present in court, Judge Sandra Murphy said she was satisfied with evidence given on the service of the summons. 

In imposing the fine and costs order, Judge Murphy said: “The reason for the high fine is noting the previous convictions.”