Car burnt out in Laois beauty spot 'it would have been a forest fire'

A car has been burnt out in a popular scenic site in the Slieve Bloom mountains in Laois, raising fear and anger among residents.

Laois Gardaí have launched an investigation while Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have also been notified of the vandalism that one resident notes could have caused an extensive forest fire if the weather was drier.

The burnt car, photographed on Sunday, February 2 during the Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend, is the latest event in years of anti-social activity in the Glendine area.

A nearby resident who spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live and supplied the photograph expressed their growing concern.

"You can see the trees had it been summer it would've been a forest fire. That car or similar has been driving dangerously for months there and already reported.

Read here about a previous Garda interception of a boy racer gathering in Glendine.

"The council are aware of the anti social behaviour mainly due to a perfect spinning area known countrywide to boy racers as perfect to spin. It's been going on for years.

"Until that spinning area at the viewpoint is changed it's going to keep attracting that behaviour. The car exhibitionists at the bigger meets leave rubbish and create noise for a few hours at night but this is more menacing the fact that they have no respect for other road users and are more likely than the meets to cause an accident.

"In light of what happened poor Joe Drennan in Limerick I think this behaviour should be nipped in the bud sooner instead of 'only young lads letting off steam' views taking over," the resident said.

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"Locals have complained about this for years, boy racers from across the country coming to a viewpoint that's ideal for spinning. As many as 50 cars travel to 'show' their cars and create mayhem late in the night. The recent boy racers are more problematic in that they are doing donuts and reversing at high speeds downhill during the day and weekends.

"Walkers have stopped walking on Ard Erin the highest peak in the Slieve Blooms due to dangerous and intimidating driving. It was once an ideal Sunday hike or walk for both tourists and families but now they opt for other areas.

"Locals tolerated the late night antics but this recent spate is worse because of it taking place during the day with no value put on the  welfare of others. I was asked by a Galway walking group how we tolerate this behaviour," the resident said.

A spokesperson for Laois Offaly Garda Division has confirmed that an investigation is underway into the burned car.

"We actively patrol the area and have held targeted operations there, there have been convictions in the past. We are aware of ongoing issues, and we encourage people to report them to us".

Laois County Council has been asked to comment.