Northern Ireland

Reckless drivers 'tormenting' north Belfast

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has called for a crackdown on dangerous driving in north Belfast
SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has called for a crackdown on dangerous driving in north Belfast SDLP councillor Paul McCusker has called for a crackdown on dangerous driving in north Belfast

PEOPLE living in north Belfast are being "tormented" by reckless drivers, an SDLP councillor has said after footage emerged of illegal races in residential streets.

Footage posted online showed motorists driving at high-speed and performing handbrake turns around Ardoyne Avenue early yesterday.

Up to six cars are believed to have raced in the area at around 2am.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said terrified residents had been woken in the early hours by the racing drivers.

"Death drivers have tormented this community now for too long, with more and more families being subjected to disruption at the hands of these reckless drivers," he said.

"Today some children couldn't go into school because they were up throughout the night unable to sleep. This has to stop.

"Car crime has devastated families, leaving people without loved ones and others with life-altering injuries. It is a serious matter and demands a serious response.

"It's time for the police to now step in and step up before we are dealing with another death on our roads."

On Wednesday, a mother and her teenage daughter escaped injury after a stolen car crashed into the front of their home in west Belfast.

The crash on Cavendish Street, off the Falls Road, caused severe damage to the family's living room, as well as a neighbour's car.

Roisin Murray (39) and her 16-year-old daughter Molly had to flee their home amid fears the 4x4 would ignite.