Slowing it Down: Joyriding and racing a problem around Kells

Ann Casey and Noelle Finegan spoke to people in communities across Meath and their local public representatives who have raised serious concerns about speed and traffic volumes in their villages and towns.

KELLS' STORY

Joyriding and racing of souped up cars on the N52 bypass around Kells were among the issues raised by councillors at a recent meeting with the Gardai.

Speeding throughout the Kells Municipal District and the need for additional garda resources for the area were also discussed.

The meeting also heard the Gardai are supporting the request from local councillors for Kells town centre to be included in any future CCTV installation programmes.

The cathaoirleach, Cllr Sean Drew arranged the meeting for the seven Kells area councillors with Kells based senior representatives of An Garda Siochana.

"It was a very informative and beneficial meeting, where we as local representatives had the opportunity to raise and discuss issues of concern directly with local senior gardai," Cllr Drew said.

Speeding traffic throughout the district but in particular on access roads into the built up urban areas were raised. Councillors mentioned the roads into the towns of Kells and Athboy and locations on the N52 (Carlanstown and Calliaghstown), the N51 (Rathmore) and the R147 in Carnaross and Kilmainham. It was agreed that resources of the council and Gardai would be targeted at these locations. The councillors requested increase use of speed detection vans.

The recent addition of a new location for the speed detection van on the N52 at Calliaghstown was welcomed following councillors requests and representations. It was emphasised by all at the meeting that driver behaviour was critical in ensuring compliance with speed limits, that by taking responsibility and reducing speed, drivers themselves could improve road safety and prevent accidents occurring.

Joyriding and racing of souped up cars on the N52 bypass around Kells was also discussed. The Gardai advised that preventative action had recently been successfully undertaken, following expressions of concern from councillors and local residents. In addition the Gardai outlined their recent activity locally on checkpoints for drink/drug driving, no insurance/nct, and such.

The issue of Garda resources both in relation to manpower and availability of patrol cars for the Kells district in general were discussed. The boundary realignment of the district was outlined by the Gardai and it was agreed that seeking the assignment of additional Gardai to the Kells area would assist in delivering an increased service to the community. The Gardai advised that to ensure that call outs are prioritised effectively, crimes should be reported directly by dialling 999 or 112.

The meeting with an expression of sympathy to the colleagues of the late Garda Martin Reilly who recently passed away and who had been based in the Kells station.