Call for CCTV to monitor abuse of disabled parking

A concerned local woman has called for CCTV to be installed outside Cunningham's Pharmacy in Monksland to monitor the two disabled parking spaces in a bid to stop people who do not have a disability using the two spaces. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said it is an ongoing problem in the area and she believes CCTV would stop people from parking there. She explained that motorists needed a parking permit to use a disabled parking space and she had, in the past, challenged people in parked in these spaces without displaying a permit, with varied reactions. Local TD Denis Naughten told the Westmeath Independent this week that he was aware of the issue and had been in contact with both the gardai and Roscommon County Council on the matter. He said the gardai said they could not do anything until the area was taken in charge by the council, as until then it was considered private property. Deputy Naughten said he had yet to receive a formal reply from the council, but he understood the area had yet to be taken in charge, but an application was pending and once it had been completed the gardai could enforce the law in relation to people without permits using the spaces. Deputy Naughten added: "You'd hope people wouldn't park in disabled spaces, whether it's being enforced or not. It has huge implications for people with a disability, it's not just an inconvenience, it's about space. Parking in a normal space is no good to you if you're in a wheelchair as you may not be able to get back into your car. I think the public should be conscious of parking there even if it's only for two minutes while you run into the shop."