‘Helmets and anti-roll bars will make sulky racing safer’

Sulky drivers should be forced to wear helmets and high-visibility jackets, have their carriages fitted with anti-roll bars, and provide the authorities with an event safety plan prior to obtaining permission to race on public roads.

Additional recommendations by a joint policing committee (JPC) also include introducing legislation to restrict times when road races can be held and require horses to be fitted with nappies similar to those which are used by jarveys in Killarney, Co Kerry.

The suggested rules are contained in a report compiled by the Cork County JPC and were prompted by an infamous sulky race when a large number of Travellers took over the main Cork-Mallow road in May 2012.