Parking fines take a tumble but nearly €700,000 in kitty from charges

REVENUE from parking fines issued by Galway County Council has tumbled over the past three years.
The number of unpaid fines where legal proceedings have been issued has also fallen, with less than two per cent of cases ending up before the Courts.
As controversy continues to surround parking charges in many towns around the county, the latest figures show that the local authority took in almost €700,000 from parking tickets last year.
Public parking charges apply in Tuam, Athenry, Gort, Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Clifden and motorists have been busy feeding the pay and display machines.