Parking wardens driving shoppers out of our town

Motorists in south Dublin's coastal suburbs are being hounded by parking wardens, according to locals.

During the Blessing Of The Boats ceremony in Bullock Harbour, Dalkey, in May, many locals who parked on footpaths were issued with tickets.

And Dun Laoghaire business people say shoppers are being hounded from the town because of the risk of getting a parking ticket from wardens working for APCOA, the company contracted by the council to issue fines to motorists.

Wayne Farrell, who works near Bullock Harbour said: "People in Sandycove and Bullock Harbour are being annihilated with tickets. For years down there, there were never any wardens. Bullock Harbour is a tourist attraction -- kayakers go out there every day and when they come back there are tickets on their cars."

Campaign

"The wardens go down on their mopeds, with helmets and black jackets. I challenged one of them and he said he was just doing his job. But there are no double yellow lines and it's a small area. I've never known people to get tickets, only in the last few weeks."

He added: "They gave people tickets at the Blessing Of The Boats, which is unbelievable. They hit everyone."

Ann Joyce, of the Dun Laoghaire Community Association, said people in Dun Laoghaire have begun a campaign which they hope will point out how Apcoa are targeting motorists.

"Last Saturday, I had a couple of phone calls where people in Bullock Harbour said a warden gave out several tickets and he wasn't wearing any uniform.

"And it's an ongoing saga here in Dun Laoghaire. We have a campaign going where we're trying to gather information on problems people are having with wardens, and we're asking them to contact us.

"They've killed the golden goose that was Dun Laoghaire and people are no longer coming here, and now that they're not getting the money here they're trying the seafront, and Sandycove and Bullock Harbour."

Fines

However a spokesperson from the council's transportation department said Apcoa were working within their remit.

On fines issued in the Bullock Harbour area, he said that "fines were issued for parking wholly or partly on the footpath at this location, which is an offence and results in pedestrians being forced to walk on the road".

"The nearest parking would be on street in the adjacent residential area, and there are a number of car parks in Dalkey adjacent to Dalkey Dart station, the SuperValu and library car park."

Cathaoirleach John Bailey said the number of wardens patrolling the area had been reduced by a third in the last two months following representations from councillors.

However, he said: "Around Bullock Harbour the footpaths are particularly narrow and people shouldn't park illegally. There's a nursing home nearby as well. And there's parking available up towards St Patrick's Church."

Mystery Dubliner scoops €4.5m win in EuroMillions

IT wasn't quite the top prize of €185m, but the recession did end for one Dublin lottery player today.

The lucky punter scooped €4.5m in the EuroMillions draw that has had the country gripped.

Locals in Ballyfermot were today speculating about the identity of the country's newest millionaire -- even if the winner themselves might not know yet.

The Irish winner was one of six across the continent who missed out by just one number.

But he or she won't be feeling too hard done by as the golden ticket -- bought in Doran's Foodmarket in Drumfinn Park, Ballyfermot -- is still worth €4,576,071.

The National Lottery contacted the store's owners, Mary and Martin Doran, at 10pm last night to tell them the news.

Mr Doran told the Herald it's the second big lottery win that the shop has seen in the past year.

"Around this time last year we had someone win €364,000 on the EuroMillions. We get a lot of local trade here and so many tickets were bought yesterday.

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"We're thrilled for the winner but we don't know who it is yet."

Speculation was rife in Ballyfermot this morning with customers wondering the winner's identity.

But Pat Mulready, who lives just around the corner from the shop, expressed her disappointment that her ticket did not scoop the prize.

"It's great news to hear on a Saturday morning. It's probably someone local. It's not me anyway, mine's a loser."

Another local man told the Herald: "I wonder is it me. I'll have to check. I hope it's a local person anyway, it's great news for the community."

Hopefuls flocked to the shops in their thousands last night to pick up their tickets for the massive draw.

Thousands of ticket holders across the country will be frantically checking their tickets today, with the Ballyfermot prize winner not the only one to scoop some cash in the bumper draw.

The next biggest winner in Ireland will be collecting €5,472, while 168,348 others scooped prizes worth between €4 and €239.

The lucky numbers last night were 12, 13, 23, 40, 49 and the lucky stars were 7 and 19.

In the EuroMillions Plus draw, the numbers were 5, 19, 34, 37 and 49.

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Lottery fever is likely to grip the country again though as the jackpot will remain at €185m for next Tuesday's draw.

If an Irish person were to win the draw they would surpass Limerick woman Dolores McNamara who won a record amount of €115m in 2005.

Meanwhile, in the National Lottery draw for tonight, the jackpot is heading for €4m.

Honour for homeless hero who rescued rabbit

A HOMELESS man who saved his pet rabbit from drowning in the Liffey is to be officially honoured by an animal charity.

Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) says it has been 'inundated' with calls of support for John Byrne since the Herald's story on Monday.

John dived off O'Connell bridge to rescue his pet rabbit Barney, after a passer-by had flung him off the bridge into the River Liffey.

He told the Herald this morning that he "cannot believe" he is going to be presented with the award on Tuesday.

"Ever since the Herald wrote about what happened, myself and Barney have been getting so much support.

"But to be given an award is unbelievable. It's nice to know that despite living on the street, people still care and want to do a nice thing for me,"

bravery

John Carmody of ARAN told the Herald that John's actions was one of the most 'admirable' things he's ever seen.

"We have been swamped with calls of support ever since the Herald broke the story. People were just taken aback by John's bravery.

"To think that he jumped off O'Connell bridge for his rabbit just shows how compassionate he is.

"It has sent a shiver down my spine for such a touching act of kindness. This award is only presented to one person each year and there's no doubt John deserves it. I urge everybody to get out there on Tuesday and support him."

Mr Carmody added that he believes John and Barney's ordeal will help their cause to lobby for stricter measures against animal cruelty.

ARAN campaigners are already planning to attend Dublin District Court on July 21 where the teenager who flung John's rabbit into the Liffey will face charges.

The 18-year-old was charged with a public order offence as well as animal cruelty. Garda Shona Moran of Store Street station, who arrested the teen involved, will be present at the presentation on Tuesday which takes place at 12.45pm on O'Connell Bridge.

John says the events on Sunday have changed his life.

The Herald revealed on Wednesday how the owner of a pet farm in Tipperary has already offered him a job and a place to stay for Barney.

"It's great to be asked, you never know what I'll do," John joked.