Callous clampers thwart bid to respond to emergency call

EFFORTS by a drainage company to respond to an emergency call from a Dublin city centre retailer with a flooded basement were thwarted yesterday when two of its vehicles were clamped.

The drivers, employed by A&T Drain Services, left the emergency beacons flashing on the van and truck when they went into the Westmoreland Street branch of Black Tie to inspect the damage caused by a blocked sewer. Within five minutes of their arrival at 9.25am, however, both vehicles were clamped and it took two hours and a fine of €160 to free them.

One of the drivers, David Harris, said employees of Control Plus were putting one of the two clamps on the truck when they came out of the shop. A clamp was already on the van.