A Buncrana woman has been ordered to pay a total of €478 after being convicted of parking in a disabled bay without a valid blue badge.
The case of Kathleen Donaghey, of 21 The Meadows, Buncrana, came before Buncrana District Court recently.
Ms Donaghey did not appear in court to answer the charge, but Judge Emile Daly directed that the matter proceed in her absence after being informed that the summons had been signed for by someone at her home.
The prosecution was brought by Donegal County Council, represented by solicitor Kevin McElhinney.
A traffic warden gave evidence to the court, outlining the circumstances of the incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Lower Main Street, Buncrana.
The court heard that at 5.33pm the warden, while on patrol, observed a Toyota Auris parked in a designated disabled bay without a valid disabled parking permit displayed.
A fixed charge penalty notice was issued at the scene and placed under the vehicle’s windscreen wipers, while photographs were also taken as evidence. The court was told that the fine was not subsequently paid.
Mr McElhinney told the court that Ms Donaghey has a previous conviction dating back to September 2023 for a motor tax offence, for which she was fined €200 and ordered to pay €138 in costs.
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When asked by the judge whether that earlier penalty had been paid, the solicitor said he did not have that information available.
In relation to the current matter, the court heard that the final opportunity to settle the fixed charge notice before court proceedings would have been €300.
Judge Daly noted the evidence and the defendant’s previous conviction before imposing her decision. She fined Ms Donaghey €340 and also made a costs order of €138 in favour of Donegal County Council.
Ms Donaghey was given four months to pay the total sum of €478 arising from the offence.