Sir, – Fair play to Ann Marie Hourihane for highlighting the atrocious parking habits of gardaí in Dublin’s city centre (Opinion & Analysis, January 16th). It is ridiculous that spaces marked as being reserved for official Garda vehicles are very often occupied by non-official vehicles, leaving official vehicles parked on double yellow lines and double-parked and treble-parked as described by Ms Hourihane. It is equally ridiculous that gardaí should operate under the belief that they are somehow entitled to free parking in Dublin’s city centre. I highlighted this situation to the Garda Ombudsman a year ago and was informed that, even if proven, this would not constitute a violation of the Garda code of conduct.
In other words, do as we say but not as we do! – Yours, etc,