Conlon discusses N54 dangerous driving antics with Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy

The practice of anti social driving behaviour on the main Clones to Cavan Road, the N54, has been raised with the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy by local Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon.

Deputy Conlon also alerted the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD to the problem.

“The N54 is being used irresponsibly by some drivers and the practice is highly dangerous and poses a considerable threat to other road users,” Deputy Conlon said.

“There is a 3 kilometres stretch on the road that crosses north of the border on two occasions before coming back into the south, so there are issues regarding what jurisdiction the road falls under.”

“This fact is being abused by reckless drivers who are performing stunts that endanger both themselves and oncoming traffic.”

“This is particularly worrying considering that this is the main road to Cavan for many people, and therefore the main route to Cavan General Hospital.”

“Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Deirdre Kelly raised the issue with me and I took the opportunity at the meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly to raise it with Fachtna Murphy.”

“He has been in contact with me since the meeting and he has assured me that the Gardaí will be looking into the issue. I have asked him to consider what cross border co-operation between the Gardaí and PSNI could be developed for areas of border roads such as the N54 which cut in and out of the two jurisdictions.”

“Not only are these people choosing to involve themselves in this dangerous behaviour, but it seems that they are being encouraged by people who attend the ‘stunts’ and watch on from the roadside.”

“Apparently the people involved are using social networking sites to ‘advertise’ times for their activities.”

“I want to urge people to think of road safety and the value of life when they are either directly or indirectly involving themselves in these kinds of stunts. We have witnessed tragedies in the country before as a result of these reckless games and anyone who has lost a loved one through a road accident could only view this kind of behaviour as selfish, dangerous and unacceptable,” concluded Margaret Conlon TD.