Unlocked Clamp

JGEP

The car park at my apartment block was full last night so I had to park on the road outside. Got down this morning and found my car clamped, sickened! The padlock on the clamp wasn't locked and I was in a rush for work so I took it off, without damaging it, and left the clamp there.
It's a Dublin City Council clamp and they have my reg so I'm sure I'll have to pay the €80 fine but does anyone have any experience of this? Is there any extra fine for removing the clamp?

demon83

A friend of mine a few years ago got clamped.He took the clamp off himself and left it there. The clampers sent him a few letters and he basiclly ignored them all and they never bothered following up.

Eireann81

I'd say if the €80 was a removal fee then you shouldn't have to pay it as you removed it yourself.

If the €80 was a fine for parking there it could be a different story.

So you weren't clamped?

marketty

Where is the clamp now?
As it was a DCC clamp and not your local thug/gangster/extortionist private firm, I'd imagine they will chase you for the €80 though.

djimi

If its a council clamp then you need to tread a little more carefully; they operate fully within the law so removing it yourself (even if its just means removing the lock which was not closed) and ignoring it might not be an option as it would with say an NCPS clamp. The €80 is probably a parking fine rather than a removal charge. Obviously you were okay to remove the clamp and use your car (I think everyone would have done the same) but just dont assume that that will be the end of it.

JGEP

It's an "Immobilisation Notice" for having no valid ticket in a pay and display area

JGEP

Shoud've put it in the boot but I left the clamp against a wall on the side of the footpath beside where I was parked. It's down a cul de sac so not in anyone's way. Might wait till I get home this evening and see if it's still there before calling to pay the fine. Hopefully it's still there and I can arrange collection of the clamp so they won't try charge for it if it's gone

dmc17

JGEP wrote: »

Shoud've put it in the boot but I left the clamp against a wall on the side of the footpath beside where I was parked. It's down a cul de sac so not in anyone's way. Might wait till I get home this evening and see if it's still there before calling to pay the fine. Hopefully it's still there and I can arrange collection of the clamp so they won't try charge for it if it's gone

That was a bit negligent of them not to lock their precious clamp. What would have happened if a clamp enthusiast had come along before you and stolen it

JGEP

dmc17 wrote: »

That was a bit negligent of them not to lock their precious clamp. What would have happened if a clamp enthusiast had come along before you and stolen it

Don't think there're cctv cameras in the area but might check later to see if it'd be possible to identify the b*stard that stole it.

langdang

keep clamp, charge them storage fee til they collect it. 60 or 80 sounds about right...

djimi

langdang wrote: »

keep clamp, charge them storage fee til they collect it. 60 or 80 sounds about right...

Those kind of games wont get you very far when dealing with a council who are operating legally...

langdang

djimi wrote: »

Those kind of games wont get you very far when dealing with a council who are operating legally...

well they'll be pointing the finger at the OP if it goes missing!

galwaytt

langdang wrote: »

well they'll be pointing the finger at the OP if it goes missing!

....only if they can prove it was still on the car when he got there..........everyone knows you shouldn't leave stuff around outside unlocked...........someone might take it.

Dont forget to glue the lock before returning it ,
glue it unlocked

jimmy2pens

Yes, I had the company van clamped in Dublin about 3yrs ago, the chain was very loose so we just lifted the chain up across the wheel, we left the clamp on the footpath, neither me or my employer ever heard a word about it. Take your chance I'd say!!!!

Wonda-Boy

Yep, that is the route I would take. There was deffo no clamp on it when you got up....sure how could you take it off its locked!!!! And you have the same outlook on like as Rodney Trotter...honesty all the way and keep STUM!

GavMan

How did it go, OP. Just say you didn't take it off....

keithclancy

Better off playing dumb and saying what clamp, no idea what you're talking about.