Ireland

Courts put on standby during Donegal International Motor Rally

The Donegal International Motor Rally attracts motorsport enthusiasts from all over Ireland. Picture by Pacemaker
The Donegal International Motor Rally attracts motorsport enthusiasts from all over Ireland. Picture by Pacemaker The Donegal International Motor Rally attracts motorsport enthusiasts from all over Ireland. Picture by Pacemaker

COURTS in Co Donegal have been put on standby for special sittings for people breaking traffic laws during this weekend’s Donegal International Motor Rally.

Gardaí warned that no cautions would be issued and anyone committing offences during the three-day event would face charges.

The rally starts in Letterkenny today and thousands of motorsport enthusiasts are expected to follow the drivers as they move through stages throughout Co Donegal.

In the past the event has been accompanied by an increase in public order and driving offences including drink and drug driving.

This year senior gardaí have pledged a zero-tolerance approach, with Letterkenny Garda inspector Michael Harrison saying it was an effort to contain any problems.

“We’ve examined exactly the number of arrests and the reasons over the last two years. After consultations through the joint policing committee, we realised from listening to what they had to tell us that more had to be done regarding policing around the rally weekend,” he said.

The inspector appealed to those travelling to Letterkenny to “behave themselves” and warned that special arrangements have been put in place for anyone breaking the law.

“We’ve requested through the court service; we’ve put them on notice that we may require special courts on Saturday and Sunday," he said.

“They’ve informed us that there will be a judge on standby if that’s needed. We hope we don’t have to use that but I’ve a feeling from monitoring social media, looking at what people are saying about what they’re going to do when they come to this county, that that’s going to be very, very difficult to avoid."