Garda damaged my car

j2dab

Car was seized recently, just got it back yesterday and have noticed damage just in front of the back right wheel. The back right wheel has also been changed with the spare and the spare is in the boot flat. (I think this may have been flat when the car was seized) My thoughts are that when it was rolling off the tow truck it pulled to the right due to the flat and scraped down the side. I have photos of the car 1 week before it was taken off me and there is no damage.

Wondering has this happened anyone and what are the chances of being compensated and what are the channels I should head down to sort it out?

Henry Ford III

Why was it seized?

Rolli

Not really worth your while doing anything, my 07 Civic Type S was seized by the Garda when my brother was driving it. When I got it back 2 alloys were scratched to pieces and they wouldn't do anything about it...

ShadowHearth

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Why was it seized?

I doubt it should matter. Whatever it was, he payed fine and got his car back.

Op, I really doubt you will be able to prove anything.

pudzey101

Have you any proof it wasn't like that before it was seized?
People i know take pics of every inch of the car if its getting towed away/seized

unlikely you did that though, correct?

DarkJager

pudzey101 wrote: »

Have you any proof it wasn't like that before it was seized?
People i know take pics of every inch of the car if its getting towed away/seized

unlikely you did that though, correct?

In fairness I dont think any kerb would leave an indent like that in the body work, it's almost clamp like.

j2dab

seized for VRT. Photo I have is about a two weeks before the car was seized. The fact that the wheel was changed and this happened on the same corner makes it a lot more evident that it was someone when the car was in their possession.
I am going down to the Guard tomorrow to have a chat if anyone saw the lads taking it off the truck etc..

Going to get the tow truck company and chase them that way, just want to know is there a certain department I should be trying to get in touch with with the Garda?

unkel

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Op, I really doubt you will be able to prove anything.

My thoughts exactly. It will go nowhere without proof, which the OP doesn't have. Sorry for your troubles, dude.

Maybe next time avoid the car being seized? Pay your tax and stuff?

JHet

:rolleyes: This may be a case of karma coming back to bite you in the ass. I would write this one off to bad debts if i were you. Suck it up and remember to pay your taxes in future.

Crackle

Unless you have pictures of the car from right before they took it, like pudzey101 already posted, to prove it wasn't already damaged, then there isn't really much you can do.

By all means talk to the garda involved, you've nothing to lose by asking. Just don't expect him, or anyone involved in the towing of the car, to take any responsibility for the damage.

corktina

seized for VRT? that will be the Customs then i should have thought

SeanW

JHet wrote: »

:rolleyes: This may be a case of karma coming back to bite you in the ass. I would write this one off to bad debts if i were you. Suck it up and remember to pay your taxes in future.

Wow that was helpful :rolleyes:

FGR

If a Garda seizes the car it's then handed to Customs for investigation. The seizing Guard would not know anything about the car following it being seized as the pound all vehicles are brought to are not so close to the station.

It might be worth finding out which Customs officer is in charge of the investigation. They might be able to help you as they would have given the car an inspection themselves prior to contacting you.

Best of luck with that, too. That damage doesn't look nice..!

charlemont

Well you have photos and I presume you have proof of the car being seized so you should try the Garda Ombudsman, That's what they are there for..

Alkers

Even if you get no joy out of this I would go down the route of the small claims court. You can claim for up to €500 and it will at least put them through the expense of having to represent themselves in court. Just because you didn't have tax/VRT does not mean that you should sit back and let them damage your car.

finbarrk

SeanW wrote: »

Wow that was helpful :rolleyes:

I thought so too.

MyKeyG

I can't believe all this ridiculous talk about Karma and such nonsense. The OP will have enough punishment to deal with due to his error. That his car was damaged on top of it is not deserved. I know it doesn't mean much now but it amazes me how often people forget they're walking around with a camera/video camera in their pockets. You might want to get into the habit of using it.

OP you can be a nuisance to them by pursuing it if you like but unfortunately that's all it'll be, a nuisance. It's up to you to consider if that's sufficient consolation because you won't be getting it in cash.

slimjimmc

Simona1986 wrote: »

Even if you get no joy out of this I would go down the route of the small claims court. You can claim for up to €500 and it will at least put them through the expense of having to represent themselves in court. Just because you didn't have tax/VRT does not mean that you should sit back and let them damage your car.

The SCC deals with claims up to €2000. It's not assured that anyone will have to attend a court in person, many rulings are based entirely on the documentation submitted.

Damage looks like the car was dropped on a lip, twice!

Guy:Incognito

MyKeyG wrote: »

I can't believe all this ridiculous talk about Karma and such nonsense. The OP will have enough punishment to deal with due to his error. That his car was damaged on top of it is not deserved. I know it doesn't mean much now but it amazes me how often people forget they're walking around with a camera/video camera in their pockets. You might want to get into the habit of using it.
.

Cause and effect.

Wrong place and the wrong time can land you in an accident, say when someone comes around a corner on the worng side , no fault of your own. But if your the one drifting aroudn said corner over the line, theres no one to blame but yourself.This is slighly different beign that the damage happened after but still.

OP maybe you should have asked for a bit off the VRt to account for the car being a damaged one.