Young drivers must “show respect” to end “mayhem” in Laois Offaly Slieve Blooms

Car gatherings in the Slieve Blooms are causing "mayhem" according to a councilllor also wants young people to ‘show respect’ but also wants the gardaí and Laois County Council to join forces to tackle the problem.

The appeal was made by Cllr James Kelly, Independent, who insists that while he has not problem with gatherings, something as to be done about the situation in the Laois Offaly mountains.

The councillor tabled a motion calling on the local authority and the gardaí to resolve the ongoing problem at Glendine and JJ Fanning Pass on the Laois/Offaly border.

“I’ve no problem with young people gathering with their vehicles, their pride and joy, but it’s what happens then,” he told the meeting in Portlaoise.

He called on the young people to “show respect” when they gather and on the route to the gathering points.

He said young people are ‘very respectful’ when gatherings at car park shopping centres in Tullamore, Kilkenny and Portlaoise. But the same cannot be said of the mountain gatherings.

“Scrambler bikes are being brought up in vans and are being road through the woods in the dark,” he said.

He hoped the blocking of access could be avoided to the viewing area at Glendine. But he said bollards might be needed to restrict the gatherings.

“Something has to be done. They have been ripping up the signs, they are going into the woods, they are causing mayhem. It has to stop,” he said.

He added that he was looking forward to a garda council meeting in the mountains to consider a joint response in the scenic area which attracts many visitors to both counties and are also popular with locals.

Donal Brennan, Director of Services, replied in writing.

“Intimidation and vehicle nuisance caused by the use of motor vehicles are primarily matters for An Garda Síochána, and as such would not fall to be actioned by the Municipal District. However, the matter may potentially be raised at a JPC working group meeting.  There continues to be good cooperation between An Garda Síochána and Laois County Council,” he said.

Gardai poised to tackle ‘rallying’ in Laois mountains

The issue was raised at the recent Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting in County Hall, Portlaoise.