Anti-social late-night car meets at N26 junction have 'made life impossible for local residents'

Car meets involving doughnutting and other dangerous manoeuvres on public roads have become a major problem for residents near Drumrevagh junction on the N26 outside Ballina. Councillors say the late-night gatherings over the past two years have made life difficult due to loud noise from vehicles congregating at the junction. The road layout, including a widened carriageway with hatched markings and filter lanes for Drumrevagh East and West, is described as making the location attractive for drivers to gather and perform risky manoeuvres. Residents report impacts even during events such as funerals, and a nearby B&B has reduced operations because guests are being woken by the noise. Councillors have asked Mayo County Council to request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to install plastic bollards to deter spinning on the widened section.

"Car meets taking place on public roads, where multiple vehicles gather to perform 'doughnutting' and other dangerous manoeuvres, have become a nightmare for residents living near a junction outside Ballina and are also affecting local B&B businesses, councillors have heard."

"He said the junction, located just past Mount Falcon on the route from Foxford into Ballina, has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour over the past two years. He said the noise being created by vehicles congregating at the junction "has made life impossible for local residents"."

"Cllr Faughan explained that the road layout at the junction, where the carriageway widens with hatched road markings and filter lanes for Drumrevagh East and West, has made it a popular location for cars to gather and perform dangerous manoeuvres. "It's very hard on the houses close to there. There are probably 30 to 35 houses in close proximity. It affects a lot of people," he said."

"Following talks with residents and council officials, he said the installation of plastic bollards was seen as the best option to prevent motorists from being able to "spin" on the widened section of road. The motion was tabled by Cllr Joe Faughan, who said the junction has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour over the past two years."

Read at Irish Independent