Reckless drivers ‘ruining beauty spot’

RECKLESS young drivers are ruining one of Kerry’s best scenic routes, it was claimed yesterday.

Tyre marks are being left on the roadway at Inch, in the Dingle Peninsula, and the peace for which the area is renowned is being destroyed, according to Fianna Fáil councillor Tom Fleming.

“Local residents have told me they’re growing increasingly tired of so-called boy-racers driving their souped-up cars at high speeds and performing stunts on the road near Inch strand,’’ he said.

“I’ve been over there to see firsthand the marks left on the road.

“Their behaviour is totally unacceptable and an affront both to local residents and to the natural beauty of Inch strand.

“A targeted garda operation is needed to stop these youngsters, who apparently operate mainly under the cover of darkness,” he said.

Gardaí are keeping the area around Inch, between Killarney and Dingle, under surveillance, especially at weekends.

Kerry County Council’s environment awareness officer, Micheal O Coileain, said there wasn’t a huge problem with boy-racers on the strand, but they recently had to deal with up to a dozen quad-bikes.

“Quad-bikes are banned from the strand and the signs are up. The council has written to the people who brought their quad-bikes onto the strand and asked them not to do so again,” he said.

Many different types of vehicles regularly go on the strand, which has limited off-beach parking facilities.