Drug driving cases start to come before courts
MEMBERS of the public attending the JPC meeting in Rathdrum last Wednesday night were encouraged to contribute and raise any issues which they felt needed addressing.
Cllr Tommy Annesley wanted to know why no driving under the influence of drug offences had been listed in the crime statistics read out at the meeting.
‘I think the law has been in now for 18 months. I know we don’t have a drugs taskforce in south Wicklow, even though we have been promised one,’ he said.
‘Do we have Gardai qualified to test drivers for drug usage when they are driving?’ Cllr Annesley asked.
Chief Superintendent John Quirke replied that there are 51 Wicklow Gardaí trained to deal with such incidents.
‘We bring that specialist equipment with us to every checkpoint. It should be noted that some standard medication can lead to a fail as well. The cases are only now starting to come to the courts. The drunk-driving legislation has been in existence for some time but the drug-driving legislation is only new so there will be a lot of legal testing going on in the courts,’ he said.
Chief Superintendent Quirke mentioned the arrest of a drunk driver in charge of a cattle truck at a recent multi-agency checkpoint.
‘He was a foreign national and he was driving a cattle lorry with a trailer and was well, well over the limit. Imagine the carnage that could have happened if a driver like that lost control on the motorway,’ said Chief Supt Quirke.
Denis Carter queried why Rathdrum Garda Station didn’t have a Sergeant well over a year after the retirement of Mary Burgage.
Chief Superintendent Quirke said a general moratorium on recruitment and promotions had only recently been lifted.
‘We are getting another batch of Gardaí at the end of November and I am hoping then we may be able to address the situation in Rathdrum,’ he said.
Jimmy O’Shaughnessy complained about the abundance of overhanging trees and bushes which restrict the views of passing motorists. He also queried why a garda speed van is located in Glenealy at a location ‘where there has never been an accident’.
Pat Dunne of the IFA and Glenmalure Pure Mile Group said that people camping in Baravore are leaving an unsightly mess behind them.
‘A huge problem is people coming down and having these raves or cider parties. In July, around 300 people arrived. Is there anything the gardaí can do about it? They leave an awful mess behind them. They buy tents and then dispose of them by putting everything on a fire and leaving whatever doesn’t burn behind them. They are getting sick in their tents and then in the morning they can’t get away from them quick enough’.
He also commented on the number of dog attacks on sheep taking place.
‘Every night you see dogs wandering around by themselves. Is the dog warden for Wicklow not active any longer?’ he asked.
There were also complaints from the floor over motorists parking on double yellow lines in Rathdrum and obstructing other traffic.