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09 Dec 2025
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09 Dec 2025
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Kildare County Council says it cannot prevent the clamping of vehicles by private companies.
Fine Gael councillor Evie Sammon asked KCC to explain what powers it has to prevent the practice of clamping in private car parks, at least in Naas.
Cllr Sammon said that clamping is only a feature of private car parks - but there are many more privately owned spaces in the town than the number provided through KCC.
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“There have been a lot of negative comments about clamping in Naas and it only happens in the privately owned car parks. I want to find out if the council can do anything to prevent this happening, perhaps through amending the bye-laws,” said Cllr Sammon.
The politician contrasted how the rules are enforced between the council and the private operators.
KCC imposes an initial €40 fine, which rises if left unpaid and could ultimately result in a court fine.
However the fee for removing a clamp attached to a car in the private setting is up to €120 and the motorist may have to wait some time before the device is removed.
She told a Naas Municipal District committee meeting that the problem is getting worse.
“They seemed to be waiting for the parking ticket to expire so they can clamp cars in Naas. It is not good for business in the town.”
Cllr Sammon said in some instances people can return to a clamped vehicle after midnight and have to wait for a couple of hours before someone arrives to remove the clamp. However, KCC said it has no function in the regulation of clamping in private car parks. This is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015.
It added private car park operators are required to carry out clamping in accordance with this legislation and are required to operate an appeals mechanism.
Motorists can appeal a clamping incident to the NTA once they have made an initial
appeal to the operator of the car park.
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