Hinckley priest's Good Friday parking ticket goes before penalty panel
An independent adjudicator is to decide whether to quash a parking ticket given to a priest who was transporting disabled people home from an Easter service.
Father Frank Daly, of St Peter's Church in Hinckley, is refusing to pay the fine, which was issued at the annual Churches Together Good Friday event.
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’It is amazing it has got this far – it is just absurd,’ said Father Daly. ‘But it is a matter of principle. It’s not about the ticket’
The church ambulance – a Renault minibus with a tail-lift for wheelchairs – was parked in a loading bay in Market Street, Hinckley, so it could take worshippers home from the lunchtime service.
Leicestershire County Council bosses have refused to rescind the ticket.
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Now Father Daly has been granted an independent adjudication hearing, to be held at the Holiday Inn, in Leicester, on Wednesday.
"It is amazing it has got this far – it is just absurd," Father Daly said.
"But it is a matter of principle. It's not about the parking ticket at all.
"It is about facing these faceless bureaucrats with no idea how to implement the law.
"They are allowed some discretion, but they have decided that this case is not sufficiently important to allow for flexibility.
"A number of elderly and disabled people are able to join the walk from St Peter's Church to the service because it is downhill, but are then unable to return.
"Accordingly, for the past five years I have brought our ambulance for disabled people down to the Market Place beforehand, attached the necessary blue badge to it and also an explanation of why it is there, and there has never been any trouble – until now."
The appeal will be heard by a single independent adjudicator from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, which decides whether to uphold or cancel parking penalties issued by councils.
Father Daly said: "Whatever happens at the independent adjudication, I'm not paying it.
"I understand they can come into my home to take things which belong to the church to cover the fine. It may even result in a prison sentence.
"I never thought it would get this far, so anything could happen, but I am not paying the fine."
It is understood there is no direct cost to the council associated with an individual adjudication hearing, and that the service is funded by a levy of 65p placed on each parking ticket issued in England.
A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said it was standing by its decision.
He said: "The ticket was issued because the vehicle was parked incorrectly, in a loading bay. The disabled badge does not permit parking there.
"Having reviewed the circumstances surrounding the issuing of the parking ticket, our conclusion was that there were no grounds for it to be cancelled.
"However, Father Daly has made a formal challenge against the parking ticket and the matter is now being brought before an independent adjudicator."
Comments
by DavidJCB
Friday, October 26 2012, 6:08PM
“I never do inderstand JayBe11's posts, I would like to know what it means as well? I hope he/she can reply soon? I have a new pair of socks to offer...”
by Rachel_Leics
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:45PM
“Ummm i don't think he can answer? :( x”
by City_C10
Monday, October 22 2012, 7:58PM
“He cannot answer then?”
by jimbob6163
Sunday, October 21 2012, 4:45PM
“He should pay up he parked on a loading bay, If they were disabled he should have a badge he then could park on yellow lines”
by Rachel_Leics
Sunday, October 21 2012, 3:04PM
“It is ok if he cant answer me cityc10 i am confussed over that message and picture lol x”
by City_C10
Saturday, October 20 2012, 3:49PM
“@ Jaybe11, could you answer Rachel's point? I myself would like to know what you meant by the following post:
"Perhaps Fr Daly's parking dispute could be adjudicated under canon law. After all that's been shown to be a robust and reliable means of handling issues involving the priesthood."”
by City_C10
Saturday, October 20 2012, 3:44PM
“"its posts like yours that actually reaffirm my faith in human beings. And make me laugh my socks off. That, my friend, was back of the net ;-)"
Ditto - I am glad you read my posts, which is all I care about, showing an interest and commenting back upon them. It helps ratings and makes for a good debate, thank you.”
by prog_rock_fan
Saturday, October 20 2012, 9:33AM
“@taylorma66: "If you're going to assume the moral high ground..."
I make no claim to occupy the moral high ground. No interest in it, really - there's an awful lot of hot air blowing around up there.”
by JayBe11
Saturday, October 20 2012, 1:17AM
“@ Sansue
Tips hat”
by taylorma66
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:24PM
“prog_rock_fan
You state that JohnnyDale reaches a "conclusion that transporting disabled people to ANY destination they cannot reach on their own is "cult business""
Where as in reality he merely states "there is no special dispensation for vehicles on cult business."
The original comment makes no reference whatsoever to disabled people and any destination which they can or cannot reach. It simply suggests that "there is no special dispensation for vehicles on cult business."
You make assumptions about what may be in JohnnyDale's mind and what he may or may not regard in consideration about Father Daly's charitable status. All without evidence or any discernible facts.
If you're going to assume the moral high, ground then at least have the courage to criticise people for what they have said as opposed to what you think they have said.”