Dublin clamper fined for bad parking
By James Helm
BBC Dublin correspondent
Drivers who have ever had their cars clamped for illegal parking may find some satisfaction in the result of a court case in Ireland.
A clamper who parked his van illegally on a street in Dublin while attempting to clamp two cars has been fined and criticised by a judge.
The incident happened late at night when a clamper van stopped in the city centre.
The two men inside had spotted some illegally parked cars on the roadside.
Clampers are familiar, if hardly the most popular figures in the city, placing heavy locks on the wheels of illegally parked vehicles.
Owners must then pay a penalty to have the device removed.
Obstruction
As they began to carry out their work, a passer-by complained to police that the clamper van was itself blocking the oncoming traffic.
A policeman asked the van's driver to move his vehicle out of the way but he refused.
He seems to think he has the God-given right to do these things
Judge
So, in a case which may perhaps raise a cheer amongst many motorists here and beyond, the clamper was fined around 347 euros (£230) after he admitted dangerous parking and obstructing the traffic.
The judge at Dublin district court said of the clamper: "He seems to think he has the God-given right to do these things."
The court was told that the clamper's work had made him the victim of attacks and that he had recently had his foot run over by a taxi.
The company which operates the clamping service says it will be reviewing the case.