The Donegal Road Safety Working Group and An Garda Siochana have issued a crucial road safety appeal to everyone attending the Donegal International Rally to "Keep the Race in Its Place." The three-day event, which attracts thousands of spectators, begins on Friday 21st June and presents a fantastic opportunity for Donegal to showcase its attractions.
As one of the biggest rally events in the country, the Donegal Rally draws thousands of visitors eager to enjoy the event. Beyond the race, visitors will have opportunity to discover the charm and beauty of Donegal and experience the warm hospitality and vibrant atmosphere.
Attendees are urged to ensure a friendly, enjoyable, and safe environment for all and to respect local residents and avoid anti-social behaviour. The Gardai will be out in force this weekend, and the Donegal Road Safety Working Group fully supports their zero-tolerance approach towards anyone disregarding the rules of the road. This reminder emphasises the importance of safety for all road users throughout the rally weekend.
Inspector Seamus McGonigle An Garda Siochana stated, “The Donegal International Rally is the biggest motorsport event in Ireland, attracting huge crowds of spectators to the stages. An Garda Síochána has a major Operation in place to police the rally. All those attending the rally and visiting Donegal over the weekend are asked to comply with Garda directions and to behave with respect and care to other road users. Unfortunately, a small minority have behaved in an unacceptable and dangerous manner on the roads in the past. This will not be tolerated, and a comprehensive Garda Operation will be implemented to deal vigorously with any offender”.
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group want to emphasise the importance of safety, both on the rally course and on public roads as it falls on everyone to ensure our roads are safe for all users. The appeal calls on rally supporters to be cautious, use the roads responsibly, and be courteous to all road users. Rally followers are reminded to watch the stages from designated safety areas, adhere to speed limits and allow plenty of time to reach their destinations safely. Please, keep the race in its place.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Martin Harley said “We have seen too many terrible tragedies on our roads. I urge everyone to drive carefully over this Donegal Rally weekend, and to be mindful of your own safety and that of other road users.”
Tá teachtaireacht ríthábhachtach maidir le sábháilteacht ar bhóithre eisithe ag Grúpa Oibre Dhún na nGall um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre agus ag an Gharda Síochána chuig gach duine a fhreastalaíonn ar Railí Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall chun "An Rás a Choinneáil ina Áit". Cuirfear tús leis an imeacht trí lá, a mheallann na mílte lucht féachana, Dé hAoine, 21 Meitheamh agus tugann sé deis iontach do Dhún na nGall na nithe is díol spéise a chur i lar an aonaigh.
Mar cheann de na himeachtaí railí is mó sa tír, tarraingíonn Railí Dhún na nGall na mílte cuairteoir a bhfuil fonn orthu sult a bhaint as an imeacht. Taobh amuigh den rás, beidh deis ag cuairteoirí fáil amach faoi dhraíocht agus áilleacht Dhún na nGall agus blaiseadh a fháil den fhlaithiúlacht ghnaíúil agus den atmaisféar bríomhar.
Iarrtar ar an lucht freastail timpeallacht chairdiúil, thaitneamhach agus shábháilte a chinntiú do gach duine agus meas a bheith acu ar chónaitheoirí áitiúla agus iompar frithshóisialta a sheachaint. Beidh líon mór Gardaí amuigh ag an deireadh seachtaine seo, agus tacaíonn Grúpa Oibre Dhún na nGall um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre go hiomlán lena gcur chuige maidir le haon duine a dhéanann neamhaird ar rialacha an bhóthair. Leagann an meabhrúchán seo béim ar an tábhacht a bhaineann le sábháilteacht do gach úsáideoir bóithre le linn dheireadh seachtaine an railí.
Dúirt an Cigire Seamus McGonigle An Garda Síochána, “Is é Railí Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall an ócáid mhótair is mó in Éirinn, a mheallann na sluaite lucht féachana chuig gach staid den railí. Tá plean mhór i bhfeidhm ag an nGarda Síochána chun an slua a choinneáil faoi smacht. Iarrtar ar gach duine a fhreastalaíonn ar an railí agus a thugann cuairt ar Dhún na nGall thar an deireadh seachtaine cloí le treoracha an Gharda Síochána agus iad féin a iompar le meas agus cúram d’úsáideoirí bóithre eile.
Ar an drochuair, bhí iompar do-ghlactha agus contúirteach ar siúl ag mionlach beag ar na bóithre roimhe seo. Ní ghlacfar leis seo amach anseo, agus cuirfear plean cuimsitheach na nGardaí i bhfeidhm chun déileáil ar an toirt le ciontóirí ar bith”.
