Cavan Road Used For 'Stunts'

The TD for County Cavan has spoken to the minister of transport and the Gardaí Commissioner about a cross border road that is being used as a stunt track by young drivers.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon said she had raised the practice of what she described as "anti social driving behaviour" on the main Clones to Cavan Road, the N54, with the Commissioner Fachtna Murphy Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey TD.

The N54 crosses the border four times between Cavan and Clones, so there is some doubt as to whether the jurisdiction over the road is that of the PSNI or Gardaí.

Ms Conlon described how people were attending stunts being executed along the length of the road due to a reluctance by Gardaí or the PSNI to attend it.

"The N54 is being used irresponsibly by some drivers and the practice is highly dangerous and poses a considerable threat to other road users," Deputy Conlon said.

She added: "Not only are these people choosing to involve themselves in this dangerous behaviour, but it seems that they are being encouraged by people who attend the 'stunts' and watch on from the roadside.

"Apparently the people involved are using social networking sites to 'advertise' times for their activities. This fact is being abused by reckless drivers who are performing stunts that endanger both themselves and oncoming traffic.

"This is particularly worrying considering that this is the main road to Cavan for many people, and therefore the main route to Cavan General Hospital."

(DW/GK)