FACEBOOK PAGES which have been set up to alert motorists to the location of Garda checkpoints have been criticised by a Fine Gael Senator.
A page called “Garda Checkpoints Dublin” had more than 6,000 likes on Facebook last night while a “Garda Checkpoint Galway” page had amassed 1,000 likes in 24 hours.
The Dublin page had posted the locations of 70 speed cameras and checkpoints.
Posts by users on the Garda Checkpoints Dublin Facebook page included: “Too late now but they were checking tax at the T1 airport exit yesterday at 4.30” and “This page should be called lets help drunk drivers and speed freaks kill our kids.”
Posts on the Garda Checkpoint Galway Facebook page included: “This will come in handy for me as I’m always getting pulled in by the f****rs” and “Checkpoint in Gort tonight just off roundabout on Galway road”.
Fine Gael Senator for Dublin South East Catherine Noone called on Facebook to close down the pages.Ms Noone said the page Garda Checkpoints Dublin was both dangerous and irresponsible.
“The random nature of Garda checkpoints and speed cameras exist for a reason. That is to stop people speeding and drink driving and ultimately to save lives. This approach has helped to reduce the numbers of people dying on Irish roads in the last 15 years by more than half.
“This page threatens to negate the impact of these important and effective road safety measures. Knowing and sharing the locations of checkpoints makes them far less effective,” said the Senator.