Keogh calls for action as residents kept awake at night by “reckless” drivers in West Mayo

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Keira Keogh, has called for action as families say they have had difficulty getting their children to sleep at night due to noise and disruption by a group of car enthusiasts.

In Derrinumera, between Castlebar and Newport, dozens of cars gather on a regular basis at a junction on the R311. Residents of the area have had difficulty sleeping at night due to cars revving engines, performing donuts and burnouts, and blaring loud music.

Deputy Keogh said: “The junction at the Derrinumera Civic Amenity Site is now a hotspot for reckless night-time driving behaviour. Local residents have contacted me to tell me how they have been driven demented by a now regular overnight gathering of a group of drivers, who come to look at each other’s cars, do donuts and other stunts. Many of those residents have difficulty getting kids to sleep, and many kids are afraid of the noise and waking up.

“These stunts are often done at the T-junction close to the site, and there are a number of houses in this area. There is nothing new here; this is a longstanding issue, but something needs to be done about it.

“The residents have contacted An Garda Síochána, but there’s not a huge amount they can do. The groups use spotter cars, so they have either dispersed or stopped by the time the Gardaí arrive at the scene.

“I want to be proactive about this. I have written to the Garda Superintendent in Castlebar to seek a meeting with her to discuss the issue. I have also been in contact with Mayo County Council to request CCTV cameras along this section of the road.

“There is also a safety aspect to this, and we can’t underestimate the power of education. Growing up, I myself lost friends on the roads, and I know first-hand the devastating impact that has on families and communities.

“We are now witnessing a rising trend in collisions and fatalities on Irish roads and I applaud the work being done by the RSA. They are doing really great things, such as simulations at community events that demonstrate what it’s like to fall asleep at the wheel, or to crash at high-speed. There are real opportunities presented by technology when it comes to teaching people about road safety.

“It doesn’t matter how experienced a driver you are. The consequences of one wrong move can have life-altering”, concluded Deputy Keogh.

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