Gardaí may reimburse car owners for storage

Evelyn Ring

More than 11,000 vehicles were seized in Ireland in 2003 for tax and insurance offences, according to garda statistics.

Gardaí said, however, “a significant number of vehicles” are never reclaimed.

An initial garda audit in Dublin found that, in some instances, an additional daily storage fee of 35 was erroneously charged on the day the vehicle was seized when only a towing charge of 125 should have been applied.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has ordered an immediate audit at all garda stations and compounds throughout the country where the seized cars are stored.

Gardaí will examine the records of all vehicles seized since 1998 under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act to see what charges were applied.

Superintendent Kevin Donohoe of the garda press office said while gardaí regretted the overcharging there was no question of impropriety. All the money taken in error was paid into the Exchequer, he said.

When the audit is completed and all records reconciled refunds will be issued to each person affected by the overcharging.

Supt Donohoe said illegally parked vehicles towed away pay both the towing and storage charge on day one.

“Confusion could have arisen in some cases as a result of two different fee schedules applying to cars that are seized and towed away,” he said.

Supt Donohoe said they would be contacting the individual owners and refunding the money where it was due.

Anyone who feels they may have been affected by the overcharging should contact the garda helpline number 01-6669892 during office hours.