Parking fine, but it wasn't me!

fussyonion

I just received a parking fine from Ballina County Council saying I had parked somewhere illegally on Pearse Street.
I haven't been in Mayo and although my reg number is correct on the letter, it definitely wasn't me.

I've to call back later to speak to someone but is it enough for me just to say it's not me?
Do they have to prove it was me?

godtabh

fussyonion wrote: »

I just received a parking fine from Ballina County Council saying I had parked somewhere illegally on Pearse Street.
I haven't been in Mayo and although my reg number is correct on the letter, it definitely wasn't me.

I've to call back later to speak to someone but is it enough for me just to say it's not me?
Do they have to prove it was me?

Can you prove the car wasn't there? That's the main question

Paulw

Most councils take a photo when they issue the ticket/fine. So, ask for photo proof that you were parked there.

It may be a simple typo, with digits in the wrong order or something.

witchity2

Happened me a few years ago. I just rang the police station (it was the police who issued it) and said it couldnt have been me as I would never be in that area. They were very understanding, apologised for the mistake and it was sorted.

Yakuza

One other possible explanation is a cloned plate. A photo would determine that. Hopefully (and more likely) it is just a typo.

OP, do you have any records showing you were elsewhere at the time (M50 or some other toll)?

fussyonion

Yakuza wrote: »

One other possible explanation is a cloned plate. A photo would determine that. Hopefully (and more likely) it is just a typo.

OP, do you have any records showing you were elsewhere at the time (M50 or some other toll)?

No because that day I was visiting my parents.

pippip

fussyonion wrote: »

No because that day I was visiting my parents.

So your witnesses are family......I'll need more than that sonny!


It shouldn't come to that. as others mentioned, their should be a photo available to you that should explain the mistake.

djimi

fussyonion wrote: »

No because that day I was visiting my parents.

Where was that?

Have you anything at all that might cast doubt over the fine? Did you use your bank card or credit card or anything that might show that you were not in Mayo?

fussyonion

My family live five minutes away from me in Dublin.
I might have used my bank card that day locally..I suppose if I did, I could get a statement from the bank.

Annoying that I might be the one who needs to prove my innocence..surely the council needs to prove it was me?!

keithclancy

Why not call them:
www.ballinatc.ie/YourCouncil/ManagementTeam

fussyonion

Yeah I had called them this morning and had to phone back at 2.30pm.
I rang just there and the woman watched the video clip they had and she apologised and said the reg plate was one digit out.

She was very apologetic and said the fine would be cancelled.

Yakuza

Justice has prevailed! Glad you got sorted.

Lando Griffin

fussyonion wrote: »

Yeah I had called them this morning and had to phone back at 2.30pm.
I rang just there and the woman watched the video clip they had and she apologised and said the reg plate was one digit out.

She was very apologetic and said the fine would be cancelled.

This is unbelievable, this persons job is to take down the number on a number plate and they cant get it right.:eek:
You just cant depend on the general public.

biko

Scary stuff, glad you got sorted.

Atlantic Dawn

fussyonion wrote: »

Yeah I had called them this morning and had to phone back at 2.30pm.
I rang just there and the woman watched the video clip they had and she apologised and said the reg plate was one digit out.

She was very apologetic and said the fine would be cancelled.

You should sue them for harrassment and being thick, the basic test they should do is go to motortax.ie and put in your reg to see if it matches the car onscreen, if it doesn't they have the wrong plate. Simple basics that save you and and them hassle, typcial idiotic public service using cold war tools.