ST. EUNAN'S GAA Club have unreservedly apologised to a wheelchair user who was abruptly refused access to parking facilities O'Donnell Park last weekend.
An official investigation has been launched into an incident whereby Roseleen McGarvey from Gweedore was mistreated by a club steward when she arrived at the Dungloe v Gweedore match on Saturday. Ms Garvey, a full-time wheelchair user for 24 years, was refused entry to the car park by a middle-aged steward who told her that her disability "wasn't his problem". She claims he proceeded to shout and sneer at her when another steward helped her gain admission to the car park.
"I drove myself alone to the match in plenty of time to ensure I could get parked at the match. I was met by stewards and I explained I needed disabled parking and my wheelchair was very visible in the back of my estate car. I was told very ignorantly by one man that it was club officials only. At this point there were about 15 - 20 cars in the car park and plenty of room for more. Incredulously I sat there trying to explain my situation and was told "move on woman you are holding up the traffic", she said.
The steward instructed her to park at the nearby Sallaghrane leisure centre, but when Ms McGarvey pointed out that there was a steep hill to negotiate on the way back, he responded "not my problem, move on."
"Eventually a young lad approached me from the opposite side and the penny dropped with him. He moved the cones aside despite glares from the middle aged ignoramus who I had previously dealt with. I eventually drove in whilst being shouted and sneered at by this man. Strangely enough I witnessed many cars entering the parking area, including my own GP with his family and my local TD who seemed to sail in without any bother."
Club Secretary Paddy Mullen said the club contacted Ms McGarvey directly to unreservedly apologise for any inconvenience or injury cuased to her last weekend.
"Initial findings suggest that poor weather conditions, leading to poor visibility, and the fact that Mrs McGarvey did not have her disabled driver pass displayed on her car led to the initial breakdown in communication and the subsequent dispute with the stewards," he said.
"Indeed, all cars that had disabled driver passes displayed were granted access to the ground, without issue."
He added that major pipe-laying works which are taking place at the grounds have left parking areas "in a state of disrepair" and for this reason, the County Board had informed patrons that parking at the grounds would be limited. He said that once the stewards realised that Mrs McGarvey was indeed a wheelchair user and in need of admission to the ground, this was afforded to her.
"Indeed she was allowed to park her car in an area normally reserved for spectators, which meant that she did not need to leave her car to watch the games. We once again apologise for this incident and for any subsequent stress that it caused to Mrs McGarvey."
Ms McGarvey added that she was not the type of person to expect "special treatment" but that this is one experience that she "was not willing to let go unaddressed."
"There is an onus on the organisers of such events be it St Eunan' GAA club or Donegal County Board who are responsible for stewarding to ensure that frontline staff who are there as a representative of the club or county are people with common sense and empathy to be able to deal with the general public, this is not merely a disability awareness issue but more so an issue of common courtesy," added Ms McGarvey.
