Dungarvan locals being terrorised by ‘boy racers’

YOUTHS in souped-up cars are terrorising residents in west Waterford according to a local TD.

Fianna Fáil TD Ollie Wilkinson wants a zero tolerance approach taken to the ‘boy racers’ who are a major nuisance in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

He wants the gardaí to move quickly and swoop on known black spots for so-called boy racers, who he says spend their nights terrorising local communities. And he says that recent legislation to combat anti-social behaviour should be threatened on such youths.

Deputy Wilkinson wants the gardaí to act immediately in stopping these youths and restoring peace to decent neighbourhoods.

“Areas such as Boreenatra and Abbeyside in Dungarvan have been overrun by these stunt drivers in modified cars. Local residents have told me they are terrified at night by young drivers performing handbrake turns and racing down narrow roads.

“I want local gardaí to spare no resources in deploying sting teams to these areas to apprehend the thugs. Gardaí must not wait to be contacted by local residents. I’m told these boy racers are operating almost every night. I think gardaí need to swoop on these known black spot areas to catch them red-handed,” said Deputy Wilkinson.

He said surveillance cameras are not enough to deter reckless driving in such areas. “They may aid the effort but I believe more drastic measures are required. So-called boy racing is classic anti-social behaviour, which I believe current legislation is almost powerless to tackle. That is the reason anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), proposed by Justice Minister Michael McDowell TD under the Criminal Justice Bill, could be very effective.”

He said anti-social behaviour is imprisoning local communities across the country and more practical legislation is needed to deal with the growing phenomenon.

Gardaí in Dungarvan say that they are keeping such gatherings under constant surveillance. A garda spokesman said that youths gathering around St Mary’s Church of Ireland building in particular are kept under very close watch. The area lies close to the station and is part of a routine patrol circuit.