Mourners who attended a remembrance Mass and reception for a priest who died in a freak accident have been left outraged when they found their parked cars clamped in an adjoining site.
Fr John Cummins, 51, parish priest in Abbeyleix, Co Laois was killed in an accident involving his car at the parochial house last Wednesday.
Hundreds of former parishioners of Fr Cummins, who was the administrator of Carlow Cathedral for several years, were paying their respects at Carlow Cathedral on Thursday night when the incident happened at the private site.
Scores of people took to social media to vent their anger at what the clampers had done.
One lady who was at the Mass and reception, who did not wish to be named explained, “(I had attended) a beautiful, heartbreaking Remembrance Mass for Fr John Cummins in Carlow Cathedral.
“The church was packed which was a sign of how highly he was thought of.
“The congregation were invited back to the parish centre for a cup of tea. People had parked in an old car park on Tullow St.
"When we arrived back clampers had already clamped about eight cars. (I) would have been next only I got back just in time.
It was a disgusting (sight), the parish is mourning the death of Fr Cummins and the clampers use this tragic event to make a profit. It is revolting and the lowest despicable behaviour.
Independent councillor Walter Lacey said: “We discussed this (issue) at a council meeting (on Thursday). The Council are contacting the owners of the site about the carry-on.
“There’s no point in talking to clampers. They simply don’t care. It’s also a private site and the Council have no authority over it. The signage and lighting are inadequate at the site.
“It’s hard to find the words to explain what happened. Fr Cummins was a really nice guy and the contribution he made to Carlow was immense.
"It’s hard to believe he’s gone. It’s a pity to be speaking about the (clamping) in this context. It’s despicable.
