Boy racer problem gone 'absolutely ridiculously' in Ballina – Weir

CHILDREN, young couples and elderly people are being kept awake at night by ongoing disturbance from boy racers in the centre of Ballina, a meeting of Ballina Municipal District has heard.

Cllr Séamus Weir, Cathaoirleach of the municipal district, put forward a motion at their meeting last week calling for a suite of measures to tackle disturbance from ‘mad power cars’ in the town.

This included increased police presence in the area, the imposition of heavy fines and the installation of ramps.

“I know it was bad a couple of years ago, and it seemed to have quietened down, but at this stage it seems that it’s gone absolutely ridiculously,” said Cllr Weir, who received widespread support for his stance from his fellow councillors.

Cllr Annie May Reape (Fianna Fáil) said that she knew of a couple with a baby who could not sleep due to the noise from high-powered cars at Diamond’s car park.

Cllr Reape said that 18 cars were present in the car park on one particular evening and suggested that one of the exits be closed.

“Apparently this racket in the Diamond's car park starts at 6 or 7pm in the evening and continues until 2am,” she said.

“I’ve watched it, I’ve seen it. A line of cars, and they’ve all radio communication with each other, and when the guards obviously come they can communicate with each other to stop. So the guards can’t do anything because they cannot get them doing anything.”

Independent councillor Mark Duffy said he had been receiving ‘regular complaints’ regarding boy racer activity in that particular area.

“Modified vehicles are there at all hours and are unpoliced. But even during the day, at certain times, it totally disturbs the peace,” said Cllr Duffy who called for the gardaí to do more to address the issue.

Cllr Michael Loftus, a member of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee, suggested that cameras be placed in the car park. The Crossmolina-based representative also bemoaned the reduction in the numbers of gardaí in the Garda Traffic Corps.

Cllr Weir’s notice of motion will be referred to the county council’s Roads SPC for their consideration.

The council has informed local gardaí about the ongoing activity.

A review of the public parking layout at Ballina’s Teeling Street is currently ongoing with a view to introducing speed reduction measures.

Elsewhere, Cllr Michael Burke told the Mayo Joint Policing Committee that modified cars were causing disturbances to elderly people in the Ballinrobe area.

“I would ask the gardaí to take this on and do something about it. It had stopped, almost stopped as far as I was concerned, but it seems to be coming back,” Cllr Burke said.