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By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Gardai are expecting large crowds in town for this weekend’s Rally of the Lakes.

Months of planning has gone into a road safety plan to help both rally organisers and the general public.

With the expected increase in traffic volumes on the roads by day and the significant increase in footfall within the town by night, Killarney Gardaí have deployed additional resources for the entire weekend to address all aspects of policing.

Gardai say they want everyone to enjoy the rally and “what Killarney has to offer” but any element of ant-social behaviour will be dealt with in a very strict manner.

“Everyone is very positive this year, our plan is to provide reassurance to the public, and, in the event of an incident occurring, a timely and appropriate Garda response,” Sergeant Dermot O’Connell told the Killarney Advertiser. “Due to the cancellation of the Rally in 2020 and 2021 we expect rally enthusiasts to travel to Killarney in large numbers.”

Mobile patrols and checkpoints will be very evident over the weekend. Drivers will be randomly tested on the roadside for alcohol and drugs. Unmarked Garda vehicles will monitor the public roads to detect incidents of dangerous driving. Uniformed and Plain clothes Gardaí will walk the beat to detect illegal drug use and incidents of public disorder.

“The policing plan takes into account the increased risk that is associated with all major events.

“Similar to previous years, individuals arrested may find themselves held in custody overnight and brought directly to court the following day. Our aim this year is to further reduce anti-social behaviour.

“We want all who attend Killarney this weekend to enjoy themselves, enjoy what Killarney has to offer, to create a positive memory of the weekend.

“Any individual who intends to cause disruption on the roads or within the town should cast their memory back to the many Garda prosecutions initiated in 2018 and 2019.”