Clamping practice at an end at castlebars royal quarter

THE heated controversy over the clamping of cars at the Royal Quarter, off Stephen Garvey Way in Castlebar, has been brought to an end.

Mayo County Council announced today that it has received notification from the TF Royal Theatre and Royal Quarter that the practice is 'at an end' following months of dissatisfaction over the situation.

Paddy Mahon, town manager, told a meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District that clamping has been stopped at the location and will not resume in the future.

Elected members had lambasted the clamping fees and the alleged ‘heavy handed’ approach of the clamping operators following a wave of complaints.

Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne called on the car park proprietors to refund vehicle owners who had been forced to cough up as much as €120 after being clamped.

“Because the practice has been deemed wrong now does not mean it was right when those fines were imposed. They were in breach of the planning laws and are obliged to pay back the money taken unfairly from people,” he argued.

The Royal Quarter contains the TF Hotel and Royal Theatre as well as retailers Shaws and Boots.