Hurling fan gets a lucky break
The traffic was heavy in the vicinity of Pairc Uí Chaoimh and I parked in a space between two houses.
I am driving all my life and, at 58 years old, I have no convictions for speeding, parking or causing an obstruction. So I made sure there was ample space for cars to exit both driveways. The road was full of cars - all, like mine, parked outside houses.
On returning from the match I could not find my car, so I knocked on the door of one of the houses I was parked outside. A lovely gentleman answered. He said he had not seen anything and advised me to call the gardaí.
On doing so I was informed that my car had been towed away for causing an obstruction.
This gentleman’s neighbour had contacted the gardaí.
The gentleman whose door I was at was very sorry this had happened. He gave me his name and permission to state that my car was not interfering with access to driveways.
Here I was, a stranger in a city with a seven-year-old child, night closing in, needing €160 to retrieve my car.
I am on pre-retirement pension (€247 a week), and I had €30 in my pocket. I don’t have a credit card or chequebook, so I was in quite a state.
A lady who was parked in the space between the next two houses heard me explaining my predicament and immediately insisted on driving me to the car pound. She was from Waterford and, like me, was a stranger in Cork. She did not know the way to the pound, but two gardaí arrived in a squad car and offered to lead us there.
They were two gentlemen - a credit to the force. They led the way to the far side of the city.
On arriving at the pound this lovely lady from Waterford paid the €160 with her credit card, freed my car, and would not even give me her name so that I could repay her later.
I would like to thank the two young gardaí who were so helpful and considerate.
But especially I would like to thank the wonderful lady from Co Waterford who was not willing to let a boy and his grandfather be stranded in Cork late at night, with no money.
Obviously Cork city council do not feel the same way. Maybe they also believe the myth of the Celtic Tiger and think everyone has a cheque book and credit card or access to money late at night.
This experience will not change my mind about Cork city and its wonderful people. After all, I married a Cork lady whom I met while dancing in the Arcadia on the Lower Road many years ago.
Here’s wishing the Cork hurlers all the best in the All-Ireland championship.
Con O’Meara
19 Glenview Square
Tipperary
