Councillors and Gardai have expressed concern over plans by car enthusiasts to converge on Bundoran on St Patrick’s Day.
Hundreds of car enthusiasts are organising themselves to descend on the seaside town after making the announcement on social media.
Young drivers from as far away as Galway and across Northern Ireland are part of the group planning to visit the popular location this weekend.
There are now concerns among local community leaders that the plan will bring chaos to the town.
The issue was raised at the recent Joint Policing Committee Meeting at County House in Lifford.
Councillor Michael McMahon said he had been made aware of the plans and was very concerned.
“It is a serious cause for concern for both the business community and the families. They have been there before and the Gardai have worked very hard on it, to control it in the best possible way.
“We and the Gardai have tried to get in contact with the leaders of these car groups but it just hasn’t happened.
“The point is that they are picking a day which is one of the busiest days you will have with thousands of people and lots of parades.
“It will be chaos number one and number two is the health and safety situation that will arise there will be serious.
“I have no solution and this has been ongoing but I do know that with the activities of these cars there is an accident waiting to happen there. God forbid we had an accident in our town a few months ago and we certainly don’t want another one.
“What I am saying is that I spoke to the Superintendent there and I will be meeting the Garda and the business people from Bundoran.
“It is an ongoing situation and a very serious situation and the talk of it is already spoiling the day for people who want to enjoy St Patricks Day in a proper and democratic fashion.
“So I am wondering if we have any solutions to this and perhaps we can speak to these people and see if we can accommodate them in some form.
“But we are were we are and it has been posted on their Facebook page as happening on the 17th of March and that is serious.”
Garda Superintendent Karen Duffy of Ballyshannon Garda Station confirmed she was aware of the plans.
She confirmed at the meeting that Gardai had reached out to organisers of the event but that they had not yet responded.
She added that if the cars were taxed and insured then Gardai could not stop people from driving them.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by local Gardai say they have a plans to set up extra checkpoints in the Bundoran area to monitor driving activity in the area this weekend.
A spokesperson said “Due to the upcoming bank holiday weekend and the St. Patricks day parades in Bundoran, Ballyshannon , Donegal Town and the surrounding areas, it is expected to be a busy weekend.
“Gardai have been made aware of a planned car gathering in Bundoran on St. Patricks Day and as a result of this planned event, Gardai will be conducting extra checkpoints to detect Road Traffic Offences.”
