Motorist clocked for speeding at Dunkineely NS checkpoint

A checkpoint has been established at Dunkineely National School and a motorist was caught travelling 69km/h in a 50km/h area. 

The checkpoint has been established as a safety measure following various driving incidents that put children at risk of harm.

“A checkpoint was conducted outside Dunkineely National School this morning by Donegal Town Roads Policing Unit,” Sergeant Eunan Walsh said. “A speed check was conducted and driver behaviour at the traffic lights was kept under observation.

“One driver was detected travelling at a speed of 69KPH. The legal speed limit in the area is 50KPH. 

“The driver will now have to pay a fine of €160 and they will receive three penalty points. Slow down. Be especially careful when travelling in school areas. Be prepared to stop and obey all traffic signals given.  “Never risk lives on the roads by taking unnecessary risks.”

This measure follows Donegal TD Joe McHugh highlighting the issue to Minister for Education Norma Foley after a spate of recent incidents which compromised the safety of young children at Dunkineely National School.

Video footage circulated of two cars - one in either direction - breaking red lights by the school just around the time junior and senior infants were finishing for the day last week.

The ongoing issue came into the spotlight when a truck hit a kerb and narrowly missed a group of school children last autumn. Since then, parents have been using homemade signs to appeal to motorists to slow down.

“The children were left traumatised,” Councillor Niamh Kennedy told a meeting of the Donegal Joint Policing Committee at the time.