The stage is set...

ANXIOUS

So, if people have read other clamping threads they'll remember that i volunteered to go the whole way to see if clamping is legal.

Basically I parked in clontarf dart station, went to pay for parking however both machines were broken. They both had stickers on saying they are broke. So i didn't bother wasting money ringing an 0818 number telling them something they all ready know. (if they were really interested in having people report broken machines they'd have a free phone number)

So i just left my car safe in the knowledge that i tried to pay.

If i return and its clamped i will be cutting it off, and reporting them to the gardai for obstructing the movement of my car.

So has anyone any advice and also a lend of an angle grinder?

jenizzle

Did you take photos of the broken paystations? You probably won't get clamped now that you're waiting for it!

I'd have sorted out the angle grinder/bolt cutters before leaving the car there really.

MugMugs

Wish I had this much time on my hands.

Planning an argument before it even happens. Hope you dont deal with the public.

krissovo

Any other topic I would have ignored the thread and thought to myself you were a bit of a militant. However clampers deserve everything they get so I hope you do get clamped for the craic.

Padraig Mor

Lidl are doing 2000w angle grinders this week iirc!

Kinetic^

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Lidl are doing 2000w angle grinders this week iirc!

Couldn't see it on their site

ANXIOUS

Thanks for all the advice and critic. Ideally i would have organised it beforehand. However i had to be in work so i had no real option.

Im not planning an argument im planning my response. I have made every reasonable effort to pay for my parking, to ensure my car isn't tampered with.

I think the aldi specials come out Thursday. Do tool hire places rent them? Has anyone cut off a clamp before?

MugMugs

ANXIOUS wrote: »

I think the aldi specials come out Thursday. Do tool hire places rent them? Has anyone cut off a clamp before?

Don't cut the clamp. Cut the lock. Makes you look nicer if the boys in blue catch you.

Padraig Mor

Kinetic^ wrote: »

Couldn't see it on their site

They've ****ed up their site big time recently. Check your local shop as I think they might have had them last Thurs - may still be in stock.

Atlantic Dawn

Find the full reference to interferring with the free movement of a motor vehicle in the Irish Statutebook, theres a link to it in one of the clamping threads. Then call the clamping company and quote the traffic act to them in your best Samual L Jackson voice and then strike down with vengence on the clamp with a powerful cutting device.

Alanstrainor

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Find the full reference to interferring with the free movement of a motor vehicle in the Irish Statutebook, theres a link to it in one of the clamping threads. Then call the clamping company and quote the traffic act to them in your best Samual L Jackson voice and then strike down with vengence on the clamp with a powerful cutting device.

Bahahahaha, brilliant!

Marcusm

The car park of a public transport service is more likely to be a "public place" than most of the times we've heard of people cutting clamps. However, the true public service would be to find a willing Garda to facilitate an RTA action against the clamping company. Committing criminal damage might not be regarded by a judge as an appropriate reaction to someone immobilising your vehicle.

Padraig Mor

Padraig Mor wrote: »

They've ****ed up their site big time recently. Check your local shop as I think they might have had them last Thurs - may still be in stock.

In stock alright in my local store. 45 euro.

Pique

Marcusm wrote: »

TCommitting criminal damage might not be regarded by a judge as an appropriate reaction to someone immobilising your vehicle.

It's proportionate, though.

If you destroy the clamp, they could claim it to be 'worth' €100.
A lock is more than likely worth far less, maybe only €10 so cutting the lock (the more difficult option as the steel is hardened etc) rather than the more expensive, but easier option of cutting the clamp, shows that you were not taking revenge, but simply trying to facilitate your freedom

thats not gone well

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Find the full reference to interferring with the free movement of a motor vehicle in the Irish Statutebook,

section 113 1961 RTA
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/print.html#sec113

RTA 1961
Unauthorised interference with mechanism of vehicle.
113.—(1) A person shall not, without lawful authority or reasonable cause, interfere or attempt to interfere with the mechanism of a mechanically propelled vehicle while it is stationary in a public place, or get on or into or attempt to get on or into the vehicle while it is so stationary.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence.
(3) Where a member of the Garda Síochána has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is committing an offence under this section, he may arrest the person without warrant.
(4) This section shall not apply to a person taking, in relation to a mechanically propelled vehicle which is obstructing his lawful ingress or egress to or from any place, such steps as are reasonably necessary to move the vehicle by human propulsion for a distance sufficient to terminate the obstruction.
(5) Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, it shall be a good defence to the charge for him to show that, when he did the act alleged to constitute the offence, he believed, and had reasonable grounds for believing, that he had lawful authority for doing that act.

ANXIOUS

thats not gone well wrote: »

section 113 1961 RTA
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/print.html#sec113

Thanks, ill print that off before i leave. I was thinking the easiest thing to do would be to just cut a link of the chain. Is the aldi chainsaw petrol?

smash

thats not gone well wrote: »

section 113 1961 RTA
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0024/print.html#sec113

RTA 1961
Unauthorised interference with mechanism of vehicle.
113.—(1) A person shall not, without lawful authority or reasonable cause, interfere or attempt to interfere with the mechanism of a mechanically propelled vehicle while it is stationary in a public place, or get on or into or attempt to get on or into the vehicle while it is so stationary.

They have lawful authority to clamp you.

ANXIOUS

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Thanks, ill print that off before i leave. I was thinking the easiest thing to do would be to just cut a link of the chain. Is the aldi chainsaw petrol?

It's not a chainsaw, nor is it petrol. If you are asking is a 2000W angle grinder petrol do you really reckon you can safely operate one?

Anyway, be sure to get a pair of safety glasses too.

woodseb

you could have paid by SMS - isn't there signs up in the car park advertising that?

ANXIOUS

woodseb wrote: »

you could have paid by SMS - isn't there signs up in the car park advertising that?

Yeah that's what i tried to do, they just send you a text then you have to ring an 0818 number with a credit or debit card. I have neither.

smash

woodseb wrote: »

you could have paid by SMS - isn't there signs up in the car park advertising that?

You have to sign up to the service first.

robbie_998

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Yeah that's what i tried to do, they just send you a text then you have to ring an 0818 number with a credit or debit card. I have neither.

I must actually step in here and say the OP did try his best to pay for parking.


I myself do not have any kind of card other than an ATM card... and theres not very much i can do with that ! :pac:

OP ... dont break anything on the clamp or the likes... they can do you for criminal damage if you break a lock or whatever.... but at the same time i do agree with you OP.

thats not gone well

robbie_998 wrote: »

OP ... dont break anything on the clamp or the likes... they can do you for criminal damage if you break a lock or whatever.... but at the same time i do agree with you OP.

let the air out of the tyre and wrestle it off
worked for me before :cool:

SV

smash wrote: »

They have lawful authority to clamp you.

No they don't?

PaulKK

RoverJames wrote: »

It's not a chainsaw, nor is it petrol. If you are asking is a 2000W angle grinder petrol do you really reckon you can safely operate one?

You got him good there RJ

ANXIOUS

So has anyone on the north side a lend of an angle grinder? I should be at my car at around 440.

MugMugs

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Thanks, ill print that off before i leave. I was thinking the easiest thing to do would be to just cut a link of the chain. Is the aldi chainsaw petrol?

ANXIOUS wrote: »

So has anyone on the north side a lend of an angle grinder? I should be at my car at around 440.

Yes. But as you were asking if an Electric Angle Grinder runs on petrol I shall do you and I both a favour and save your limbs from you accidentaly removing them and me the hassle of having to clean the blood off it when your'e done.

L-M

This is gonna be great!

Fingers crossed it hasn't been clamped, good chance it has though unfortunately for the OP.

fletch

Thread Tools - Follow this Thread

ANXIOUS

MugMugs wrote: »

Yes. But as you were asking if an Electric Angle Grinder runs on petrol I shall do you and I both a favour and save your limbs from you accidentaly removing them and me the hassle of having to clean the blood off it when your'e done.

So im just waiting on the dart now, all will be clear soon. Fair point mugs mug are you around if necessary, id obviously pay you a few quid.

Big Nasty

I'm anxious to know what happens next. :pac:

Mc Love

Put glue in the lock

ANXIOUS

Fortunately/unfortunately I wasn't clamped. My day will come when I get to confront them.

smash

smash wrote: »

They have lawful authority to clamp you.

No, AFAIK, they don't, unless you can prove me wrong?

Only local authorities do.

firefly08

OP it sounds like maybe you expect to end up in a legal battle? The courts may take a very dim view of people deliberately seeking out controversy just to test the legality of a particular practice. If the clamper suspects that you have set them up deliberately they will find this thread and it may make you look very bad in court. You might be better off just going about your business without any expectation of being clamped.

robbie_998

firefly08 wrote: »

OP it sounds like maybe you expect to end up in a legal battle? The courts may take a very dim view of people deliberately seeking out controversy just to test the legality of a particular practice. If the clamper suspects that you have set them up deliberately they will find this thread and it may make you look very bad in court. You might be better off just going about your business without any expectation of being clamped.

Not his problem if the machines are broken.

Nothing else he could do

ANXIOUS

So it's finally it happened I got clamped. Have been parking in the same place for years. Just wondering if anyone around D15 could assist me with the removal.

ANXIOUS

ANXIOUS wrote: »

So it's finally it happened I got clamped. Have been parking in the same place for years. Just wondering if anyone around D15 could assist me with the removal.

Where exactly were you clamped?

Private property?

I have a 12V to 1000W power inverter and 700W angle grinder which went through hardened steel chain/lock from a clamp before, you can borrow if you want to cut. But if there is cameras, I wouldn't do that...

ANXIOUS

Thanks for that, where are you based? It's on a public road. The fun thing is, there are three cars in a row mine is in the middle and the only one clamped.

I Only had a quick look at the sticker, it's funny how they mention being charged with criminal damage. I was annoyed so I didn't stop and properly read it.

ANXIOUS

ANXIOUS wrote: »

Thanks for that, where are you based? It's on a public road, if you are familiar with ashtown it is on a side road near super Quinn. The fun thing is, there are three cars in a row mine is in the middle and the only one clamped.

I Only had a quick look at the sticker, it's funny how they mention being charged with criminal damage. I was annoyed so I didn't stop and properly read it.

I'm in D15. But if it is on a public road, then it was probably clamped by clampers working on behalf of the council and if it was, you can be charged with criminal damage.

Even if its a private clamping company not operating on behalf of council, you can be charged with criminal damage...

ANXIOUS

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm in D15. But if it is on a public road, then it was probably clamped by clampers working on behalf of the council and if it was, you can be charged with criminal damage.

Even if its a private clamping company not operating on behalf of council, you can be charged with criminal damage...

It's not the council it's those prick faces. Im under the impression that you couldn't be charged with criminal damage. I still haven't heard of it happening to anyone.

ANXIOUS

ANXIOUS wrote: »

It's not the council it's those prick faces. Im under the impression that you couldn't be charged with criminal damage. I still haven't heard of it happening to anyone.

If they have prove you cut it off, then yes, you can be charged. It's criminal damage after all.

I am not saying I cut any clamps myself (:p), but I would make sure no one seen me!

mickdw

Surely one of these will do the trick



No noise, no sparks, no danger. Cut lock or chain, put complete clap in boot and dump.

Atlantic Dawn

Go for it, no unlicenced person has a right to interfer with the movement of a mans automobile.

They use hardened steel chain and locks. Not sure if a bolt cutters would cut it...

Atlantic Dawn

mickdw wrote: »

Surely one of these will do the trick



No noise, no sparks, no danger. Cut lock or chain, put complete clap in boot and dump.

Aldi have these on special at the moment €7.99. www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_22133.htm

ANXIOUS

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Aldi have these on special at the moment €7.99. www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_22133.htm

I'll have a look at the clamp later, and see how it is seating. Laughing I'd do all the cutting, I could just use advice on how to do it. Thank you for all the replays.

Cuddlesworth

Deleted User wrote: »

They use hardened steel chain and locks. Not sure if a bolt cutters would cut it...

Hardened steel makes easy to cut them. Soft steel is where the problem is. It bends around the cutters and warps them.

Cuddlesworth

Are you sure its not a clamp authorised by the county council?