Debt firm called in to collect fines

June 2000

DUNDALK urban council defends its decision to appoint a UK-based debt collection firm to recover unpaid fixed penalty notices issued to out of State drivers.

The council is the first local authority in the country to engage the services of Euro Parking Collection, and notices have been going out to Northern Ireland motorists who haven’t paid parking fines.

‘Only 6% of tickets issued to out of State drivers are paid,’ says a council spokesman.

It is against this background that the local authority first decides to introduce wheel-clamping and now they are pursuing those who haven’t paid up.

The council refers 6,000 offences going back over a two-year period to Euro Parking Colllection.

People are given the option of appealing the notice if, for instance, they don’t own the vehicle on the date in question, if it had been stolen or if they have already paid.

‘Whatever sympathy we might have for tourists, we don’t have any for Northern Ireland drivers with businesses in the area as they should know the regulations,’ the spokesman continues.

Money sought by Euro Parking Collection, which includes administration costs, has to be paid when an appeal is being made and will be refunded if it is successful.

The council expects to have an update on the initiative in the coming weeks.

One Northern Ireland resident, who has business interests in Dundalk, reacts angrily to receiving a demand.

‘ They are looking for £37.50stg for a £15 fine, and if that’s not paid by 18 June, they want £57.50stg,’ she says.

The woman adds her company has received three notices, one dating back to September, 1998, for parking in a prohibited space in Earl Street.