A Donegal Town man who has raised almost a million euro for the Donegal Galway Cancer Bus is beginning a battle with the authorities over parking restrictions.
Billy Bustard was handed a fine for parking his van on The Diamond to promote his latest fundraiser.
The area in the heart of Donegal town was pedestrianised as part of a major refurbishment this summer, a decision that caused some controversy, particularly within the motorbike community.
Despite the council’s efforts to engage with the biker community, Billy’s experience with the vehicle ban has ruffled feathers once more.
His parking ticket on Saturday morning – originally for €250 and then reduced to €80 – sparked high emotions locally.
Now buoyed by support, Billy is to stage a protest this Saturday at 11am – 12noon for himself and bikers to campaign for the restoration of their place.
Donegal County Council has maintained that the pedestrianisation is in the interest of health and safety and is not about excluding anyone.
“Change the law and make it the way it used to be,” is Billy’s message to the powers that be.
He told Donegal Daily: “I only go in on a Saturday, only for a couple of hours. I’m doing no harm. I have parked on the Diamond for 20 years so it’s easy for people to get me.”
Billy Bustard’s van promoting his upcoming fundraiser for the Cancer Bus
Billy says his protest is as much for the bikers as for his van.
“I have seen the bikers on the Diamond for 20 years, they are a massive attraction. They come from all over and people come from all over to talk to them and see their beautiful bikes polished all up for their Saturday and Sunday,” he said.
Donegal County Council reported reaching an impasse with the biking community last month, where it was agreed that a free parking zone would be designed for motorbikes in a nearby car park only on Sundays.
The Council continues to appeal to vehicle users not to park on the Diamond to avoid damaging, marking or cracking the paving, which could result in pedestrians tripping and falling.
Billy is adamant that he is “not answerable” to the council.
“I am not leaving the Diamond. The only people I am answerable to are the passengers on the cancer bus, those creaturs going away to Galway, they need support. The government doesn’t give one penny to the bus. Only for the support from people like myself, it would be gone.”
Having lost his brother Norman to cancer, and surviving cancer himself, Billy’s creative fundraisers have long been dedicated to keeping the cancer bus on the road.
Glenties area Councillor Michael McClafferty has stepped up to support Billy.
“While I appreciate the Traffic Warden doing their job obviously I think discretion should’ve been used and common sense should’ve applied,” Cllr McClafferty said.
“Cancer has in some shape or form affected us or could in our lifetime. Let’s not penalise those who are doing great work to help others on their journeys of need.
“I have requested the Council Executive to intervene on this matter for Billy and let him carry on with his work without fear of being handed out any future fines regardless what town he may choose to sit in.”
