Councillor warns of return to the dark days following crash

A CITY councillor has highlighted a “worrying increase” in reckless driving in parts of Cork this summer which he says has led to fears of a return to dark days of youths involved in dangerous driving in the city.

An overturned car in the Fairhill area yesterday evening.

An Audi car crashed yesterday evening at approximately 7pm near Na Piarsaigh GAA Grounds in Fair Hill. Reports said the car was being used to make handbrake turns before it crashed and turned on its side. Three youths got out and ran away before the car caught fire.

Gardaí confirmed that the driver fled the scene after the incident, but said that the car doesn’t appear to have been stolen. However, a spokesperson added that the car may not have been taxed or insured properly, and that they will continue to investigate the incident.

City Councillor Thomas Gould said the incident yesterday evening was not an isolated one.

“Years ago joyriding was a major problem in Cork and caused numerous tragic deaths, but in recent years we thought it was all a thing of the past,” he said. “Unfortunately, in recent months there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour and reckless driving and immediate action is required before it gets any worse. Last night’s incident was a perfect example of how dangerous such acts can be. It was a beautiful evening. There were a lot of kids around, walking in the area, playing on the greens, going to training,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

Cllr Gould added: “In the middle of all this, a stolen car was being driven around and crashed in the area. From what we have heard the people driving the car might not even be from the area but it is worrying to see such incidents and there have been other occurrences of car thefts over the summer.”

“A special garda unit is needed with full support from the City Council to tackle anyone involved in such activity. There are too many positive things going on to be put in jeopardy by such people,” he said.

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