The chairman of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee has slammed Garda management over the issue of drink and drug driving in the county.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle was speaking after FOUR drivers under the influence of drink or drugs were detected on Donegal roads overnight.
The latest spate of drivers to be caught has led local Gardai to claim that it appears their road safety message is not “hitting home with some people.”
Councillor McMonagle said there is an obvious solution to the issue but that Garda management at a national level are not taking it on.
He told Donegal Daily “From talking to people on the street they simply can’t believe that people are still getting behind the wheel with alcohol and drugs in their system.
“But you have to ask yourself why a certain amount of people are taking this chance when their jobs and livelihoods are on the line if they get caught and are put off the road.
“The reality is that they can afford to take a chance because there are simply not enough Garda checkpoints out and about.
“I am not having a go at ordinary Gardai here, this is a direct dig at Garda management. We need more checkpoints.
“If people think there is a chance there may be a checkpoint on the edge of their town or village be that Convoy or Carndonagh, then they will think twice and perhaps not drink and drive or take drugs.
“The reality is that the lack of checkpoints means that people will continue to take the chance to drive with drink or drugs in them because they know that at present there is little chance of them being stopped,” he said.
He added that the majority of ordinary law-abiding people will not mind being stopped at checkpoints.
“I think most people will appreciate that if they are stopped at a Garda checkpoint that Gardai are only doing their job and if it saves lives on our roads then so be it,” he said.
A total of seven people have been killed on Donegal’s roads so far this year.
