A German film crew working in the GMIT in Castlebar returned to their vehicles in the college carpark to find them all clamped.

Sinn Fein councillor Therese Ruane raised what she described as this “embarrassing situation” at this month’s meeting of Castlebar town council. She and other councillors raised their concerns over the privatization of car parking and its impact on the public.

Many people attending Mayo General hospital with a patient use the GMIT carpark, adjacent to the hospital, pay their pay and display ticket for parking and come back , just minutes over the allotted time, to find their vehicle has been clamped.

This practice is causing widespread distress to the motorists affected.

The councillor told Midwest news today of her and other councillors’ strong opposition to any moves by Castlebar town council to opt for the privatization of car parking in the town.