“You will be caught,” Mayo garda chief warns rogue motorists

A small number of Mayo people are continuing to drive while intoxicated despite warnings, it has been confirmed.

Chief Superintendent Pat Diskin said these motorists are ignoring their responsibilities.

Speaking to the local media today, he said: “They don't think for a moment what the consequences could be for themselves and others if they are involved in a collision.

“It seems their only concern is how to avoid being caught by the gardaí.”

The senior garda officer issued a strong warning to people intending to drive while drunk or on drugs.

“They will be caught. I have increased membership of our roads policing unit significantly during 2018 and I intend to increase it ever further in 2019.”

Over the Christmas period there will be a significant increase in traffic on the county's roads.

“To that end I am asking people to slow down, belt up, don't use your mobile phone while driving and don't drive and drive,” he stated.

To date in 2018, there have been 214 people caught driving while intoxicated,

Chief Supt. Diskin said the sale and supply of controlled drugs was a major focus over the past number of months and there has been great success in drugs enforcement.

There were 51 detections in 2018, a 132 per cent increase on the same period last year.

A total of 194 burglaries were committed in Mayo to date in 2018,a reduction of five per cent on the same period last year.

A number of operations are ongoing in the county to prevent and detect serious crime.

“High visibility in our communities will continue to be my priority,” he added