Parking mad at the disabled bay cheats CALL FOR GARDA CRACKDOWN
However, yesterday, the solicitor said his client now consented to be remanded in custody to prepare a signed plea.
The case resumes on February 17.
At the previous hearing, Detective Garda Dominic McGrath objected to bail, citing flight risk fears.
The court subsequently issued a European Arrest Warrant, and Spanish police stopped Mr Tveter about to cross into Gibraltar on January 13.
He was brought to Ireland on Wednesday and charged.
FED-UP disabled motorists want a Government and Garda crackdown to tell thoughtless drivers to stay out of their car parking bays.
It is against the law to park in a disabled spot and doing so illegally could mean a €225 fine.
It is also an offence to misuse a disabled parking badge, which risks a fine of up to €300.
Gardai must be given greater powers so that they can also issue the fines, according to the Disabled Drivers’ Association of Ireland (DDAI).
It is urging the Government to draft new legislation to help Ireland’s 75,000 disabled parking permit holders by cracking down on unscrupulous drivers.
A spokesperson for the DDAI’s new Bay Watch campaign said: “Gardai and traffic wardens can inspect disabled parking badges, but they do not have the power to issue fines.
Hospitals
“They must be able to issue fines to drivers who illegally park in accessible parking bays in private car parks like shopping centres, educational institutions, hospitals and other spaces.”
Fines for illegally parking in a disabled parking space increased in 2018 from €80 to €150, rising to €225 if not paid within 28 days.
Since January 1 past, misusing a disabled parking badge costs €200, or €300 if not paid within 28 days.
Richard Ryder of the DDAI said: “It is an anomaly in the current legislation that those who park illegally in accessible bays in private carparks are allowed to get away with it.
“It should not be left solely to the private car park owners to manage the problem.”
The Irish Wheelchair Association said: “The availability of wheelchair-accessible parking spaces is an essential lifeline.”
Two disabled drivers, Aisling Grouden and Sean O’Kelly, yesterday said “effective enforcement” is needed urgently.