Donegal Gardaí have warned they will be taking a zero tolerance approach to the ‘small minority’ intent on causing trouble over the upcoming rally weekend.
Tens of thousands of motor sports enthusiasts are expected to converge on the county from Thursday onwards for the Donegal International Rally. At last year’s event, there were just 60 arrests, mainly for minor public order breaches as well as motoring offences.
Speaking today, Garda Grainne Doherty of Letterkenny Garda Station said the force is busy making arrangements and warned that Gardaí will be out in force all over the county.
“Gardaí will be out in force this rally weekend and, as always, they will be applying a zero tolerance approach in relation to dangerous driving, drink and drug driving and bad driver behaviour in general,” she said.
Gda Doherty said a high speed sport, such as the rally, takes place in a controlled environment with the necessary protections in place.
“Every year, a small minority who appear to have no interest in the rally itself arrive for rally weekend and they drive in a dangerous manner,” she added.
“By doing so, they risk their own lives and the lives of others. If these people value their licence, then they need to leave the rally driving to the rally competitors because they will be stopped and they will be prosecuted.”
Unfortunately, every year, the rally also attracts a small number of people whose behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.
“Any sort of disruptive or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated as it is highly unfair to the people of the local communities who should not have to endure any sort of unnecessary disruption or misery as a result of the poor decisions of but a few,” she continued.
Gda Doherty also appealed to parents to ensure that their young people have sufficient driving experience before they take to the roads this weekend and also to ensure that their cars are in a road worthy condition.
“Please speak to your young people ahead of the rally weekend in relation to road safety,” she said.
“We are constantly talking about road safety and whilst we cannot stress the importance of it enough, we do realise that you cannot put an old head on young shoulders. Young people are, generally, easily influenced. They tend to take risks. They sometimes show off to their friends. If you have a young person who is intending on travelling to the rally this weekend, then please do speak to them about the dangers involved in not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, driving while under the influence, driving dangerously or getting into a car with someone who is under the influence or who drives dangerously.”
Gda Doherty pointed out that Donegal has so much to offer and Gardaí hope that everybody who comes to the rally this weekend will enjoy their time here.
“We hope that they stay safe and that they will have a very memorable trip. The rally brings so many positives to the county each year and we want to emphasise that it is only a small minority of the large crowd who attend each year who end up getting in bother because of their poor behaviour on and off the roads over the course of the weekend.”
Should anybody need to contact Gardaí over the course of the rally weekend they can do so on a 24/7 basis at the following Garda Stations: Letterkenny 0749167100, Ballyshannon 0719858530, Milford 0749153060 and Buncrana 0749320540. Criminal activity can also be reported to The Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
As always, in the case of an emergency, please call 999 or 112.
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