ENNIS’ deputy mayor has admitted he was “mortified” to discover he had accidentally used a disabled parking space, sparking calls for a re-paint of the spaces to make them more noticeable.
Councillor Paul Murphy made the admission at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District saying parking in the space was “not deliberate”.
He explained he had reversed into a space at the Active Ennis John O’Sullivan Park Lees Road in the dark and it was only on his return to the vehicle that he realised it was a disabled parking space.
“I was mortified, it is something I have always frowned on,” he said.
“The colour of the space wasn’t even blue, just in spots. The wheelchair sign was there, but it was extremely faded.”
Following the incident, he brought the need to re-paint the spaces to the attention of Ennis Mayor, Councillor Ann Norton who as well as her role in the council is a well known advocate for those with disabilities.
Councillor Norton proposed a motion at the meeting calling on the Ennis Municipal District to repaint the disabled parking spaces in John O Sullivan Park Lees Road.
She added that there is a need to look at refreshing disabled parking spaces county-wide to ensure that people can see them. She added that the design and style of disabled parking spaces has changed and those currently in place should be brought up to standard.
Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy empathised with Councillor Murphy saying she had also once inadvertently parked in a disabled parking space before being elected to the council. This was quickly brought to her attention by a shopkeeper, with Councillor Colleran Molloy saying, “I was so embarrassed.”
She said she didn’t want to see faded signs being used as a defence for those deliberately using the spaces despite not being entitled to. “We need to ensure they are well marked.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn stated he would keep the issue on the agenda at Ennis Active meetings.
Responding to the motion, Tim Forde, Head of Sports & Recreation stated, “Sports & Recreation have consulted with the Ennis Municipal District regarding this Notion of Motion. Costs are being sought and details necessary examined, ie all spaces including disabled & EV, Sharks teeth on ramps, arrows, STOPs, YIELDS.
“It is envisioned, that the project including AE Leisure Complex Car Park, would form part of the EMD road works, once funding can be sourced by the Social Directorate for same. This would have to be funded from Active Ennis resources.”