Vehicle parked on footpath blocks wheelchair users in Kildare

Last weekend, a wheelchair user had to phone Naas Gardaí in Kildare due to a vehicle blocking the footpath, forcing them onto the road to get past.

When Gardaí arrived, they witnessed not one, but two separate wheelchair users having to leave the footpath and risk their lives on the road because of the motorist's illegal parking.

The driver was located and claimed “there was no parking so I parked there.”

To make it worse, a Blue Badge belonging to a family member was displayed.

A garda spokesperson said: “Let’s be crystal clear: footpaths are not overflow parking; convenience is not an excuse; disabled access is not optional.

“Blocking a footpath strips people of their independence and puts them in real danger. A Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) will be issued for parking on a footpath. If you can’t park legally — don’t park at all. Do better. Think beyond yourself.

“THIS IS NOT PARKING. THIS IS DANGEROUS.”

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