Divine Intervention: Meet The Irish Parking Angel

Fancy some free parking? Then get yourself to Lucan in Dublin where a parking ‘angel’ has been protecting shoppers from the dreaded clampers.

The Irish Sun reports that Stephen Mason has protected around 3,000 motorists from clampers and the dreaded traffic wardens over the past few months.

The parking angel actively looks around the area for cars with their parking tickets running out and then drops 50 cent into the machine, saving them from a hefty €40 or, in the worst case scenario, a car clamp.

Mr Mason then leaves a notice on the cars that he has saved asking motorists to repay the favour by spending some money in local shops, pubs and restaurants.

Stephen doesn't want motorists to get parking fines

Local business owners in Lucan came up with the idea of helping punters out with their parking fees last October and are now using it as a bid to attract shoppers into the area.

“There’s around 50 traders involved – they have €1 a day into the fund and then I give people 50 cent to try and save them from getting fined,” said Stephen, a plasterer whose work dried up after the building boom.

“It gets me out of the house which is great. On average you’d save about 40 people a week. People love it – one woman gave me a big kiss and a hug!” he added.

And Stephen makes sure he keeps an eye on the competition.

“I actually go around with the parking warden – he can’t fine people who don’t deserve it if I’m there!” he admitted.

Well, we all know where we’ll be hitting the shops this weekend...