The special Garda traffic corps in Donegal, which was inaugurated after the deaths of five young people last October, is to be almost doubled.
The traffic unit, which currently comprises one sergeant and four gardaí, is to be increased by another four gardaí. The highly mobile unit will operate on a seven-day basis, particularly at night and at weekends.
News of the increase was given at a meeting between Minister of State at the Department of Transport Pat "The Cope" Gallagher and road safety authorities in Donegal yesterday.
It was also announced that Donegal County Council would appoint a road safety officer.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Gallagher said the additional gardaí would be deployed within weeks. The aim of the strategy was, he said, to bring all the agencies together, concentrating on education, engineering and enforcement.
"We are spending €80 million this year on the roads in Donegal, and the VEC has already begun a campaign of education in the schools," he said.
... Tim O'Brien