Vol. 403 No. 1
61 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the high ratio of fatal accidents on the Dundalk-Newry road stretching to the Border, involving Northern drivers; and if he intends to increase the Garda patrols at weekends to curb dangerous and drunken driving on this dangerous stretch.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, having regard to the large volume of traffic using the main Dublin to Belfast road between Dundalk and the Border, the number of fatal accidents occurring on it is not considered by them to be exceptionally high. Nine fatal accidents involving motorists from Northern Ireland, which resulted in ten fatalities, occurred on this road in the four year period 1987 to date.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the road in question is patrolled regularly by gardaí in patrol cars from Dromad and Dundalk Garda stations, both of which operate on a 24 hour basis. The patrols from these stations are also augmented by regular patrols from the Traffic Corps whose principal function is the prevention and detection of road traffic law offences. The Garda authorities have indicated that special attention is being given to this road particularly during the hours of darkness and after pub closing time.
