Eye-in-the-sky garda helicopter to monitor crowds at Killarney rally

THE eye-in-the-sky garda helicopter will be scanning traffic and the movements of boy racers during what is sure to be a hectic bank holiday weekend in Killarney.

Upwards of 50,000 people are expected to flock in for the annual Rally of the Lakes.

A large force of gardaí will be duty, day and night, and people have been told to expect traffic delays.

For instance, there could be tailbacks today on the Killarney bypass road, where there will be a rally service area between 1pm and 8pm.

There will be traffic restrictions on the Killarney/Moll’s Gap road between 7am and 11am tomorrow and between 7.30am and 4pm, on Sunday. Gardaí have warned of a clampdown on dangerous driving, drink driving and speeding.

“Public order has been a problem at the rally over the years, but extra gardaí will be on duty right through the weekend,” a spokesman also said.

Hoteliers, B&Bs, pubs and restaurants are all set for a bonanza weekend, estimated to be worth around €6 million.

The rally organisers believe even bigger crowds could be attracted this year because of the fine weather.

The first stages of the rally will be held over the Moll’s Gap route, tomorrow, and the cars will then head towards the Ballydesmond, Kanturk and Millstreet areas of north Cork.

Main service area on Sunday will be on the main Cork/Killarney road, at Curraglass.

The rally will finish, on Sunday evening at the Gleneagle Hotel.