Boy racer culture taking root in north westmeath says councillor

Something needs to be done to tackle the growing problem of “boy racing” in north Westmeath, according to Cllr Una D’Arcy.

The Sinn Féin representative says that “boy racer culture is taking deep roots” and there are growing fears that a life will be lost unless the rise in anti-social behaviour in the locality is addressed.

“Already we are counting the cost of this activity in terms of the vandalism at The Cut in Lough Lene a month ago and the destruction of the amenity area at Mullaghmeen over the summer. Add to that the stress and nuisance of people being woken by revving engines late at night and the concern already building for the welfare of the young people involved.

“Last month I called for Westmeath County Council to put in place measures to address anti-social behaviour of this type, and was told it would be referred to the Joint Policing Committee in due course. I think we need a swift response from the council and an effective, long-term strategy – and we need in immediately.”

Cllr D’Arcy says that boy racers from across the region are congregating at the recently tarred car park on the shores of Lough Lene at Collinstown, before taking to local roads in large groups. One of the more popular routes is the circuit previously used for the Race of the South.

“The Cut at Lough Lene is one of county’s finest council amenity areas and a lot of money has been invested there. But the area has been blighted by anti-social behaviour, both boy racers rallying at night and issues in the fine summer weather too. I refuse to allow this area to get a bad name or become a destination location for troublemakers.

“The people that live here are entitled to feel safe and secure. They do not deserve this and should be protected from late night noise nuisance of this kind. Loud tyre screeches, smashing through recycling bins, tearing up and down the roads... who do these drivers think they are?”

Cllr D’Arcy says that in tandem with the gardaí, the council has to be “proactive” and develop a strategy to combat anti-social behaviour.

“There is a real concern that someone is going to get hurt. It is also damaging an area that is supposed to be a tourist attraction.

“Are there any physical measures that could be implemented at the car park to act as a deterrent to this behaviour? Could access barriers not be installed on both entrances? Has this solution not be previously debated in the council? I find it difficult to understand how we could finance a complete re-surface but not implement access control?”