Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8581Criminal damage · Co. Limerick · 3 Mar 2025

Court case over clamp removal in Limerick dismissed

On 3 March 2025, Des Hayes, a 56-year-old man, was accused of criminal damage for removing a clamp from his car at his home address in County Limerick. The clamp had been fitted by an APCOA parking officer who suspected the permit was not genuine or in date, and the officer reported the removal to gardaí. At Limerick District Court, Mr Hayes represented himself, and Judge Eamonn Carroll did not accept the parking officer's evidence and dismissed the case, as reported on 17 July 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted17 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Des Hayes, a 56-year-old man, was accused of criminal damage for removing a clamp from his car.
Where
The clamp was removed from his car at his home address in County Limerick.
When
  • The alleged offence took place on 3 March 2025.
  • The outcome was reported on 17 July 2026.
Cause
The parking officer clamped the car because he suspected the permit was not genuine or in date.
Investigation
The parking officer, who works with APCOA parking, reported the clamp removal to gardaí as criminal damage.
In court
  • The hearing took place at Limerick District Court, where the parking officer gave evidence.
  • Mr Hayes represented himself in court.
  • Judge Eamonn Carroll said there was no evidence that the permit was invalid.
  • Judge Eamonn Carroll did not accept the parking officer's evidence and dismissed the case against Mr Hayes.
Other details
  • Mr Hayes denied that he did not have a valid parking permit.
  • The parking officer did not bring photographic evidence of the parking permit to court.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDes Hayes was accused of criminal damage for removing a clamp from his car. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe clamp was removed from his car at his address. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence took place on 3 March 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe parking officer clamped the car because he suspected the permit was not genuine or in date. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationThe parking officer reported the clamp removal to gardaí as criminal damage. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe hearing took place at Limerick District Court, where the parking officer gave evidence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtMr Hayes represented himself in court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said there was no evidence that the permit was invalid. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge dismissed the case against Mr Hayes. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe parking officer did not bring photographic evidence of the parking permit to court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMr Hayes denied that he did not have a valid parking permit. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jul2026
    Acquittedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Judge dismisses court case over clamping row in Limerick estate

    Reports the outcome of the Limerick District Court hearing: the case was dismissed after the parking officer's evidence was not accepted. Adds that Mr Hayes represented himself and that the parking officer had no photographic evidence of the permit.

    accused, Des Hayes, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Des Hayes