‘Boy racers’ targeted for attention after Garda industrial estate raid

THE Garda are determined to clamp down on “boy racers” following a recent raid on an industrial estate in Dublin led to a number of arrests and vehicle seizures.

Inspector Barry Moore of the Garda Traffic Corps in the Dublin West region said the operation showed that the Garda were determined to clamp down on such dangerous activity.

“This is probably the first time any of these people had been challenged for engaging in this type of activity. Most held the notion that accidents only happen to other people, but the fact is this type of dangerous driving will not be tolerated,” he said.

Insp Moore said the successful raid took place on October 3 last following reports from residents living near an industrial estate in Clondalkin a growing number of young male drivers were congregating there at night performing dangerous acts like handbrake turns and doughnuts in front of a large number of spectators.

The Garda operation included helicopter, 12 vehicles and 34 gardaí while the armed unit was on standby. As part of the operation, the three entry/exit points to the estate were blocked off and 150 vehicles were corralled.

A total of eight vehicles were seized for a number of offences such as tax and insurance and road worthiness.

Four arrests were made at the scene. One for drug driving, one on foot of an outstanding warrant, and two for the misuse of drugs.

An estimated 400 people were present at the industrial estate on the night in question with some people having travelled from as far away as Dundalk and Naas. The majority in attendance were in the 18 to 30 years age group.

News of the operation comes as the Garda appeal to young male drivers to take safety seriously this Bank Holiday weekend.

So far this year, almost half of all road deaths have been in the 16 to 30 age group (86 out of 173 or 49.7%) and three-quarters of those individuals were male. A total of 106 of those deaths occurred in single vehicle collisions.