A TEENAGER has been banned from driving for five months for parking across two disabled spaces

A TEENAGER has been banned from driving for five months for parking across two disabled spaces.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Patrick Durcan continued his hard line against motorists who park on disabled spots.

He banned John McNamara (18), of O'Donoghue Avenue, Jamesboro, Limerick, from driving until the end of the year after he pleaded guilty to parking in the disabled zone at Ennis's Parnell Street car park on January 4 last.

Judge Durcan had earlier imposed a five-month driving ban on Iwona Zaton of Aughanteeroe, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare, for parking in a disabled spot in Ennis on January 14. Ms Zaton wasn't in court.

Solicitor for Mr McNamara, Tara Godfrey said that the offence in parking across two spots was "absolutely unforgivable".

She told the court that Mr McNamara – who has no previous convictions – was going to the local cinema for an evening time movie and had parked in one disabled spot and strayed into the second by badly parking.

She said that Mr McNamara had interpreted the parking laws incorrectly believing that he could park in the disabled spot as it was evening time.

Judge Durcan said: "The arrogance, the ignorance, the selfishness and total disregard for others is breathtaking."

He imposed the driving ban and a €500 fine.

Irish Independent