Young man with Down Syndrome left distressed after family's car is clamped - for parking in special needs space

A young Navan man with Down Syndrome was left distressed after his family's car was clamped in a busy shopping centre despite parking in a bay clearly marked as 'special needs parking'

Robert Sullivan took to social media to say that his wife Ciara and son Aaron (25), were left stranded outside Johnstown Shopping Centre after his vehicle was clamped at approximately 6.20pm.

"Clamped in a Special Needs space in Smith's SuperValu Johnstown Navan with my son who clearly has Down Syndrome. He is distressed. Disgraceful. No signage to say he needs a badge on my car to prove his status," Robert wrote on Twitter.

According to Robert, Aaron - who attends day services in Prosper Meath, Watergate Street, Navan - was very upset at the incident. Robert claimed the matter wasn't resolved when he arrived and went to seek assistance inside the shopping centre.

It took over two hours for the clamp to be removed and only after Robert paid over €125 release fee.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle late this evening Robert said there had been no resolution to the matter and their car was only released after two hours on payment of the fee.

"The Gardai advised us just to pay the fine, and try appeal it later." SuperValu claimed it's a private company employed to patrol the carpark who we needed to deal with.

"The signage is totally inadequate. The special needs parking spaces have no stipulation that you must display a badge of any description. The rules of clamping in said carpark are that you'll be clamped after three hours. It does not state anywhere that we could be clamped for parking in a special needs space.

"These signs say Special Needs, which Aaron is due to Down Syndrome and lack of awareness of the potential dangers in a busy carpark . If we were in the wrong, we'd be the first to put our hands up and say 'guilty'.

"If for example, there were parent and child spaces, would they clamp and fine someone parking there without a child?

"This has been extremely upsetting for him. I've literally just gotten him settled (I hope) but his whole routine has been upturned. Routine is everything to him."

"Where is the inclusive society we are aiming to have in this country? We will always speak out against an injustice. We are Aaron's voice."

"The company said we could appeal as is our right to do so within 60 days. Every case is looked at individually

Apcoa, the company responsible for the carpark have been contacted for comment