Damaged or illegally removed clamps could cost Dublin up to €800,000 over three years

Illegal clamp removals and damage on Dublin streets could leave the city facing a replacement bill of almost €800,000 over three years, according to Dublin City Council.

The council recorded 9,061 “code black” cases between 2023 and 2025. At least 100 clamps were illegally removed from vehicles on each of 10 streets during that period. Marlborough Place in the north inner city recorded the highest number, with 166 cases, followed by South Circular Road with 162. Clarendon Street recorded 129, while Lad Lane and Peter Street each recorded 118 and Hanover Street East recorded 112.

The council put the worst-case replacement value at €795,000. It stressed that this does not represent the actual financial loss, because many clamps are recovered and repaired rather than replaced. Dublin Street Parking Services estimates that replacing a standard clamp costs €130.

Responding to questions from independent councillor Nial Ring, council chief executive Richard Shakespeare said the exact cost was difficult to establish. Recovered clamps may have only minor damage, such as a missing lock or damaged chain, which can often be repaired.

“

It is difficult to provide an exact figure, as many illegally removed clamps are subsequently recovered with only minor damage, such as a missing lock or damaged chain, both of which may be repairable.

The estimate also excludes indirect costs, including staff time, recovery attempts, administration, vehicle attendance, reporting and operational disruption. The council had previously said that code blacks often occurred near construction sites, where tools for cutting clamps were readily available.

Shakespeare said Dublin Street Parking Services did not pursue civil compensation cases over illegally removed clamps. The company has developed a policy to address the problem and recover associated costs where appropriate, but its implementation remains under consideration after review by the council’s law department.

He added that those responsible often cannot be identified, or that recovery costs would exceed the value of the equipment. Removing a clamp and causing damage is an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, but such cases are generally not reported to An Garda Síochána when there is no identifiable suspect or evidence for a criminal investigation.

“

In many instances, the person responsible cannot be identified or the cost of recovery would not be appropriate to the value of the equipment.