A LOCAL councillor has spoken out about a shocking video of dangerous driving outside the primary school in Falcarragh, which has been widely shared on social media in recent days.
The video shows two cars being chased by Gardaí, with one speeding past onlookers who recorded the incident.
Gardaí told the Donegal News that they received a report of a gathering of motorists engaging in alleged dangerous and illegal manoeuvres shortly before 11pm on Saturday, October 18.
“A vehicle failed to stop when Gardaí attended the location,” a Garda spokesperson said.
They also confirmed that investigations into the incident of dangerous driving are ongoing.
Reacting to the video, local councillor John Sheamuis Ó Fearraigh said the fact that the driver sped off at such high speed and put people’s lives in danger is “horrifying.”
“They all think they’re invincible and nothing will happen to them,” he said.
The video has further emphasised local councillors’ calls to reopen a stock car track located between the parishes of Gaoth Dobhair and Chloich Cheann Fhaola.
They believe this would give young people an alternative to the main roads, providing them with a safe and controlled environment to drive.
The idea was tabled at the last meeting of the Glenties MD by Cllr Denis McGee, who received unanimous support from all councillors present. The track had been operational a number of years ago but closed due to various issues, including high insurance costs.
Momentum for reopening the track is building, with several meetings between local councillors, members of the old committee, Coiste Forbartha Gaoth Dobhair and concerned parents taking place.
“There is a need for a place for the youth, and the track that is there would be ideal for it,” said Cllr Ó Fearraigh, who was a member of the previous committee when the track was operating. “I think it’s important that we give it a go.”
He spoke about the potential benefits, including fostering better relationships and respect between young people and Gardaí, as well as raising awareness about road safety.
One local parent, Sonia McGinley, has been working hard to reopen the track. As a parent of a teenage boy, Sonia understands that driving and cars are a hobby for many young people across the county and stressed that there are no local facilities to cater to them.
Sonia used to visit the track before it closed and said it was a brilliant facility that was run very well.
“Young people, lads and girls, spent all week getting their cars ready, and then every weekend, they’d go up to the track. There was no carry-on, and everybody had great craic,” she said. “If it was open again, it would get them off the road and into a safe place.”
She mentioned that they are planning a meeting to explore how they can help raise money to get the track started again.
Meanwhile, Cllr Michael McClafferty said he was contacted by many concerned parents following the video’s circulation online. He said many expressed the need to reopen the track.
He told the Donegal News that if a committee is established and the track reopens, he will commit at least €2,500 in funding from January 2026 to go towards its running, including covering insurance.
“It’s up to the adults and public representatives to step up to the plate,” he said.
“It is in the interest of us all to get young people off the roads and into a safe place.”
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