Youths drove quads recklessly in Carndonagh, just hours after fatal crash

Inishowen gardai are warning of the dangers of young people recklessly driving quads on our roads.

Their warning comes after a group of five youths drove quads in a highly dangerous manner in Carndonagh last Wednesday night, just four hours after the tragic crash in nearby Glentogher.

The youths were caught on CCTV causing extensive damage to the green area of the Public Services Centre in Carn on the night of July 2 at 10.30pm.

Gardai have said this is only one of a number of similar such incidents that have occurred in the Carndonagh area in recent weeks.

They are warning that quads are “powerful machines that have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone”. They are not toys and are not designed for young people to play with.

“This type of behaviour on our roads is reckless and it poses a threat to the safety of other road users and to the safety of the youths themselves,” a Garda spokesperson cautioned.

“In many of the reports often received by us, the quads are being driven in an erratic and dangerous manner. The drivers or owners are not covered by insurance, and many of the drivers are too young to have a driving licence, not to mention drive.”

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Gardai are directly appealing to local parents not to allow their children to use a quad unless they are the legal age to do so, and drive it in a safe and correct manner.

“A number of fatalities involving children on quads have occurred in recent years, and many children sustain horrific injuries as a result of quads each year,” they said.

“We do not want a tragedy on the roads. We urge parents to help us prevent that from happening, as one thing is certain, the clock cannot be turned back should the unthinkable happen,” the Garda spokesperson added.

If used on a public road, quads are subject to the same rules that apply to other vehicles. They must be registered, taxed and roadworthy, while the driver must hold the relevant licence and be fully insured.

You must be at least 16-years-old to drive a quad of 350kgs or less. To drive a heavier quad, you must be at least 17.

Meanwhile, if anyone has any information involving the incident of criminal damage with quads in Carndonagh last Wednesday night, they are asked to make contact with gardai in Buncrana on 07493 20540.