A "detailed report" has been ordered by Dublin City Council boss Owen Keegan after two toddlers were towed away by clampers in two "serious" city centre incidents.
A two-year-old and four-year-old were accidentally towed away by clampers in separate incidents in April, Dublin Live previously revealed. The Dublin Street Parking Services firm towed away the cars.
Dublin City Council contracts the DSPS to enforce parking rules in the city. In the first incident, a vehicle in Dublin 7 was lifted with a two-year-old child in the back seat.
The mother chased after the truck "screaming" before they stopped. A four-year-old child was in the back of another car that was towed from the Fairview area to Ballybough before the truck driver realised the child was in the back seat.
DCC told Dublin Live Mr Keegan has asked for a report. A spokesman said: "The Chief Executive has asked for a detailed report into these serious incidents and Dublin City Council won’t be making any further comment on the matter for now.”
Read more: Toddlers in back seat accidentally towed away in Dublin city centre
One source said these are not isolated incidents and blamed DSPS's policy of "rewarding" employees for clamping a high number of cars.
They said: "These are not isolated issues. If you reward staff for clamp number achieved this is the result. DCC is well aware of the reward scheme."
DCC previously confirmed to Dublin Live the incidents took place but added that policies have changed to prevent children being towed away.
A spokeswoman said: "DCC are aware of the issues raised and have engaged with DSPS regarding this, a meeting was also held between DSPS and An Garda Siochana to review the procedures in place for when a vehicle is being removed. Following this review additional safeguards are now in place to help prevent any recurrence of this issue."
Dublin Live has contacted the DSPS for comment.
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