Speed-limiters to be fitted to cars after motoring stunts

Four men are to have speed-limiting devices fitted to their cars following a display of doughnuts earlier this month.

The main Cork-Killarney road was blocked by hundreds of spectators for a display of doughnuts and other motoring stunts in the early hours of May 4 and 5.

Shortly before 1am, some 200 vehicles had converged near St Agatha’s Church, Glenflesk, for the display. The next day in the early hours, hundreds of people also thronged the road at Minish to watch another display. Later, near Iron Mills, 60 vehicles were present.

All the stunts were performed along the 11km of the road from Glenflesk to Killarney.

Before the court yesterday, four men pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. All of them are to make contributions of between €3,000 and €3,500 to the court poor box to avoid a conviction. They are to have speed-limiting devices fitted to their cars, Judge James O’Connor ordered.

None of them had been in trouble before, and came from decent backgrounds, said their solicitor, Padraig O’Connell.

“This was totally out of character... There was a rush of blood to the head,” he said.

Apprentice mechanic Colin Keohane, of Dromore, Bantry, pleaded to dangerous driving at Rusheenmore, Glenflesk. This was at 12.50am near St Agatha’s Church and 200 vehicles had converged to watch the display by a number of vehicles, said Supt Flor Murphy.

“The roadway was fully blocked,” said Supt Murphy.

Peter O’Brien, aged 19, an oil rig fitter, of The Oasis, Innygraga, Midleton, Co Cork, was seen by gardaí doing doughnuts at 12pm on May 4 on a busy roadway with three passengers in the car.

Edward Walsh, aged 28, a qualified mechanic from Hollybank Lawn, Clongowan, Waterford Rd, Kilkenny, was part of the exhibition at Minish shortly before 1am on May 5.

Michael O’Donoghue, aged 21, of The Two Mile, Killarney, was involved in the display at Iron Mills at 4.25am on May 5

All four were given until October to pay their contributions.

Several other cases are to come before the court in relation to similar offences during the rally weekend.