Roy Keane has some interesting ideas when it comes to punishing illegal parking – but is the Cork sporting legend on to something?

Speaking on Stick to Football, the former Irish international said he sometimes punishes por parkers by pulling their window wipers and pushing in their wing mirrors. 

He also said the culprits are mainly those with expensive cars. 

“You know when people have a few quid and they’ve a nice car and they just park anywhere they want?” he said. 

“On double yellow [lines] or disabled [spaces]; they just think, ‘I’ve got money, I can park where I want.’

“They just take the ticket off and go, ‘I can pay that.’” 

Roy added that putting a brick through their window was a “bit strong” but did not deny he pulls their wipers up. 

“So, when they get in the car they have to get out and fix it,” he said. 

“Especially the one in the back, so when they get in they have to get out. 

“I pull their wing mirrors in on the other side [as well].” 

On Lunchtime Live, listener John said he agreed with Roy’s attitude – but warned it should not be left to ordinary citizens to police bad parking.

“I think why Roy Keane struck a chord is because most of the public see it as selfish behaviour,” he said. 

“There’s plenty of laws against it [and] we shouldn’t really have to rely on the Roy Keane’s of this world to take these guys on. 

“They should know that the Gardaí or the Council are going to give them a fine or ticket.”  

Wheelchair user struggles to pass by badly parked car on pavement and double yellow lines in Brighton UK, 11-02-2016. Image: Simon Dack / Alamy

Another caller, Timothy, was more cautious, suggesting pulling up someone windscreen wipers could get a person in trouble. 

“To tamper with somebody’s vehicle is illegal and to take the law into your own hands would be a last resort,” he said. 

He also said he would not confront anyone he saw parking illegally because he feared they might “get aggressive”. 

Out on the streets of Dublin, Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden found a woman who said he would not dream of touching an illegally parked vehicle because she feared the consequences. 

“No, absolutely not because I couldn’t afford to pay the damages if I was caught,” one woman said. 

Citizens can report illegal parking to their local Garda station or council.

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Main image: Former Manchester United Player Roy Keane. Picture by Craig Thomas/News Images/Sipa USA.