Vehicles left abandoned in estates must be removed, Kildare-Newbridge Mayor says

The Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) asked for abandoned cars in a number of housing estates to be removed.

Fine Gael councillor Paddy Curran put the question to Kildare County Council (KCC) at the latest MD meeting, which was heard on Wednesday, May 15 last.

His query read as follows: "Can KCC outline the process involved in the removal of unsightly abandoned vehicles in housing estates in Kildare town which are rotting and taking away from any pride of place initiative introduced by KCC?"

Responding to his motion via a report at the meeting, KCC told Mayor Curran: "The last registered owner is legally responsible for an abandoned vehicle.

"After investigation, the council will then follow a procedure of issuing notifications to the registered owner.

"This may include placing an abandoned vehicles notice on the vehicle."

Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Curran, the Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District.

KCC continued: "The registered owner is formally written to and is typically given 21 days in which to remove the vehicle.

"If it is not removed within the 21 days, the council may arrange to have it removed.

"There is a cost of removal and storage to the taxpayer in so doing."

KCC also said that the following points should be noted: "Vehicles on public roads which are causing an obstruction, or a road safety hazard, should be reported to An Garda Síochána.

"While a vehicle with no tax or insurance may be an indicator that a vehicle is abandoned, the issue of no tax or insurance on a vehicle on a public road does not automatically deem a vehicle as abandoned.

"Having no valid tax or insurance on a public road is a matter for An Garda Síochána and does not fall under the remit of KCC.

"Vehicles in estates which are owned by persons resident in the estate will not be deemed abandoned.

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"Vehicles on private lands, private car parks or in estates not taken in charge by the council are a matter for the property owner and will not be inspected by the council.

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

Lastly, KCC said: "It should also be noted that unwanted vehicles can be disposed free-of-charge at an Authorised Treatment Facility. There are a number of these facilities within the county."

Mayor Curran said that while he noted the report, he added that it would appear 'that no action would be taken by An Garda Síochána or KCC.'

He further said: "We can talk about it, but the vehicles are still there, rotting away."