Parking protesters set to lobby town council

By Laura Glenn laura.glenn@inishtimes.com OUTRAGED Buncrana residents are planning to stage a demonstration outside Buncrana Town Council offices tonight (Wednesday). The residents will protest at 7pm- half an hour before the council’s planned monthly meeting, over the controversial Pay and Display parking charges. The decision to stage the protest was taken following a meeting of monthly resident’s groups in the town. It is understood the group are demanding free parking for residents, including their friends and families in residential areas. Meanwhile, one Buncrana resident who vehemently opposed the parking charges when first introduced said he now has “no problem” with them. Henry Farrelly of Castle Avenue stated in May that he would rather face prison than pay for a resident’s parking permit. However he is now delighted he can finally get a free space outside his home. He said: “I was one of the first people to speak out over the Pay and Display parking. “However,before the new laws were introduced I found it almost impossible to get a parking space outside my home. There was nearly always someone else parked there. Now, I can get parked there any time of the day. “I’m quite happy with it now but I appreciate why there is a problem over permits for family and friends. “At the minute though, I have no problem with it at all.