Forcibly removing wheel clamp cost driver €550

A judge has told a motorist who forcibly removed a clamp from his car that it would have been cheaper to buy a parking disc — as it eventually ended up costing the motorist €550.

Jonathan McCarthy, of Ballyclough Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, had to fork out €400 in compensation after taking a clamp from his car at Taites car park in Limerick City in 2011.

Yesterday the 25-year-old father of one was convicted of causing criminal damage to the clamp on May 31, 2011, and fined €150.

His solicitor Sarah Ryan told the court that “in a fit of temper” the young father removed the clamp.

She said it has cost him in compensation and in an appearance before the court.

Before convicting McCarthy, Judge Eugene O’Kelly said it would have been cheaper for him to buy a parking disc.

McCarthy was also convicted and fined €350 for taking two wing mirrors off an Audi A4 car at the Crescent Shopping Centre in July of the same year.