One of Donegal’s most senior Gardai has expressed her shock at the number of cars being seized by the force in the county.
Figures released to the Joint Policing Committee show that almost 15 cars each week or a total of 263 cars have been seized in Donegal so far this year.
No specific reason has been given for the seizure of individual cars.
However, it is understood that many of the cars are described as “company cars’ which are cheap cars which are not taxed or insured.
Garda Superintendent Goretti Sheridan of the Buncrana District said she had served in many places across the country but was shocked by the level of car seizures in Donegal.
She acknowledged that the issue of company cars was a huge concern for Gardai in Donegal.
She added that while the issue was young people buying older cars cheaply, there was also the other issue of older people selling these cars to younger people.
She added that many of these were not taxed or insured and many of those driving were diving unaccompanied without licenses.
“Many of these are runarounds bought by the younger generation but you have adults selling these banger cars to get them off their hands,” she said.