Vol. 404 No. 6
136 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) in County Dublin had to pay £35 to recover his damaged car from a privately owned car-pound after the car had been stolen in Ballybrack, County Dublin and discovered by the Garda in Coolock, Dublin 5; and the reason the Garda do not pay charges such as these when they use private car pounds for stolen cars.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that on the occasion in question a Garda tow truck was unavailable to remove the stolen and damaged car to the local Garda station. As the Garda feared that further damage would be caused to the car if it was left unattended, they hired a private towing company to remove the car to a safe place. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is normal for charges for towing vehicles in these circumstances to be paid by car owners or insurance companies.
