KILDARE: Abandoned cars left in the same place for 20 years

Some abandoned cars have been left in the same place for over 20 years.

Cllr Fintan Brett criticised people who don’t dispose of cars which can no longer be used and in some instances they leave the wreck in a front or back garden while parking on the road obstructing bin lorries.

And, Cllr Anne Breen said that the gardaí will say it is a Kildare County Council problem while KCC say it’s the responsibility of the gardaí.

KCC official Ken Kavanagh said that while some issue may arise when a wreck on private property the abandonment of vehicles isa prosecutable offence under the Waste Management Act - which also empowers the council to take measures to prevent or limit environmental pollution caused by the holding of “waste”, which potentially could include abandoned vehicles.

He also said there is “potential to address the issue of vehicles on private driveways under litter legislation - if the vehicle is regarded as litter and likely to become unsightly or deleterious.

The last registered owner is legally responsible for an abandoned vehicle. 

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KCC follows a procedure of issuing notifications to the registered owner and this may include placing an abandoned vehicles notice on the car. The registered owner is formally written to and is typically given 21 days in to remove it.  If this is not done KCC may arrange to have it removed and “there is a removal and storage cost  to the taxpayer in so doing.”

Vehicles on public roads which are causing an obstruction, or a road safety hazard, should be reported to the gardai.

While a vehicle with no tax or insurance may indicate it is  abandoned, it does not ensure that it has been. Having no tax or insurance on a public road is a garda matter.

Vehicles in estates which are owned by residents  will not be deemed abandoned.

Vehicles on private lands, private car parks or in estates not taken in charge by the council will not be deemed abandoned.

Broken down, poorly parked vehicles or those involved in residential parking disputes are not considered abandoned.

Unwanted vehicles can be disposed of free-of-charge at an authorised facility and there are a number of these within the county.