News 2020
27th May - We are now seeing the real value of increased checkpoints using the new mobility devices (thanks to Assistant Commissioner David Sheehan for this initiative).
These extra checkpoints have shown up the huge number of disqualified drivers still out there using our roads and the alarming number of unaccompanied learner drivers being detected.
The tragic news that 60 people have been killed on Irish roads so far this year which is 5 more than in the same period in 2019 is very worrying... especially when you consider that we are in a LOCKDOWN period with far less traffic using our roads!
Official figures sent to PARC this week shows that 923 cars were seized from unaccompanied learner drivers in the first quarter of 2020 and 1,578 fixed charge penalty point notices were issued.
While it is encouraging to hear that there have also been huge numbers of disqualified drivers detected in the same period, we await official figures on those.
Can you imagine when all the traffic is back on the roads just how many unaccompanied learner drivers and disqualified drivers may be still using the roads...
8th May - The following commendation from the Assistant Commissioner in Roads Policing for PARC's guide is praise indeed...
“The death or serious injury of a loved one as a result of a traffic collision is one of the most traumatic and difficult experiences in anyone’s life. It is upsetting for the Gardaí who have to call on family homes to break the devastating news about loved ones. Those early moments spent in the home are always filled with anguish and heartbreak. The questions ‘how’ and ‘why’ invariably arise and while the lives of those left behind must go on, they will never be the same.
It is the days and weeks after that horrific day, that questions become more pronounced and the investigating Garda who often breaks the news, is now supported by a specially trained Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) whose duty it is to support the family and keep them informed throughout the investigation.
A huge support to families and to Garda Family Liaison Officers is the guide researched and written by the victim support and road safety group PARC and published in 2012. It is kept updated by their members. This guide is called ‘Finding Your Way – a guide for families of victims following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a road traffic collision’. It guides the victims through a series of steps from the Garda investigation through to the legal proceedings that may follow. It encourages the families to ask the appropriate questions empowering them to know their rights and to access information regarding their loved one’s death or serious injury.
Such is the esteem in which PARC’s guide is held by An Garda Síochána that all FLOs in the service are issued with copies and it is Garda policy that they deliver them to families in their care.
PARC’s guide is not only forward thinking and informative but a poignant reminder that the collision is often only the start of a very convoluted and stressful process for the family – a process when followed through will get answers for families and help them to heal”.
David J. Sheahan,
Assistant Commissioner.
Roads Policing and Major Event Management.
17th April 2020
7th May - The memory of Karl Robertson who was killed by a disqualified driver lives on as bereaved families see the Garda Mobility device in action and disqualified drivers being taken off the road.
Limerick Roads Policing Unit pays tribute to Karl today with the following message on Facebook.
"Karl Robertson is in our thoughts today as he would have turned 32.
In 2017, Cathy Reid's only son - Karl - was out jogging and was killed in a hit & run collision by a disqualified driver.
3 years on, Cathy & her niece Aisling, have courageously spoken to Gardaí during the National rollout of our Mobility Devices. Cathy & her family have given us an insight into the loss & grief caused by this incident. We are now able to detect driver's who are #disqualified from driving by using the Garda Mobility Device at the roadside. We can also detect if a driver has exceeded the maximum amount of penalty points allowed.
The memory of Karl lives on when bereaved families see the device in action and disqualified drivers being taken off the road.
Gardaí from across Ireland now have these devices, allowing us to be more accessible within the community, more efficient while contributing to road safety and enhancing the services we provide in addition to denying criminals the use of our roads.
#ForKarl #MobilityApp #MobilityDevice #SaferRoads
29 April - We received the following testimonial today from Garda Inspector Michael Harrison - Donegal Roads Policing Inspector.
"There is one thing a family looks for in the aftermath of a fatal collision and that is answers “How did it happen and why?” From the feedback I get from family liaison officers (FLOs) the PARC “Finding Your Way" Guide gives family's a reference document where if they have a question they can look at the booklet and in most occasions the answer will be provided or the guide will tell them how to look for the answer. This Guide is an invaluable resource for families and FLOs working together to deal with the dreadful grief of losing a loved family member in a fatal road traffic collision.”
Garda Inspector Michael Harrison - Roads Policing Inspector Donegal
26th April - We wish to sincerely thank the Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan for providing a link to our website and information guide for families of road traffic victims, on the new version of Justice's Victims Charter. Look for PARC Road Safety Group.
25 April - Is it acceptable to you as an Irish citizen to see a driver who pleads guilty over crash that killed a little three year old child and seriously injured her father getting a mere fine and a 4 year driving ban. Just imagine the pain of this family now compounded by this slap on the wrist for the driver. What messages is this sending out?
Link to Irish Independent interview with little Estlin Wall's parents https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/how-do-you-come-up-with-a-figure-like-750-for-causing-the-death-of-a-child-in-a-car-crash-mother-of-estlin-3-39156121.html
24th April - Many disqualified drivers are now being detected by Roads Policing Units nationwide using the new mobility devices. With the support of the Courts Service, RSA and Transport Minister many more could be easily detected. We, as a voluntary road safety and victim support group will continue our campaign to ensure that these devices are as effective as they have the ability to be.
23rd April - 52 people have died on our roads so far this year - 5 more than for the same period in 2019.
If you have lost a loved one you should receive a copy of our information guide from your Garda Family Liaison Officer as directed by the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The booklet 'Finding Your Way' outlines the steps involved in the garda investigation, inquest, civil and criminal cases....
22nd April - Good to see Gardai detecting many more road traffic offenders now due to the higher number of checkpoints. See report at https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/nearly-500-people-caught-drink-or-drug-driving-in-last-four-weeks-995723.html
25th March - Our victim support group received this message from a recently bereaved wife with a road safety message for us all.
"My husband Maurice should be celebrating his birthday this week. He was killed in a road traffic collision on 4th January which has left a huge void in our lives.
Please take a moment to look at this photo of Maurice and the next time you travel the roads please remember that life is short, fragile and very very precious.
Just like we are all now responsible for others health safety in the Corona Virus crisis we also have a responsibility as drivers for others safety on the road. Please please remember to drive very carefully to safeguard life on the road".
Loraine
16th March - Storage of towed cars cost Gardai 8m yearly
Read https://extra.ie/2020/03/16/news/irish-news/towed-car-storage-costs-gardai?fbclid=IwAR3PtbDNR_3njQxxDRrxgP0vCXo9eRiyEXMnVzezz97SuxVinKSry3USFRs
9th March - An Garda Siochana acknowledges PARC's campaign for the roll out of mobility devices for all Roads Policing Units in memory of Karl Robertson who was killed by a disqualified driver with three driving bans https://www.facebook.com/pg/Garda-S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-Cork-Kerry-Limerick-Southern-Region-676247719139199/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2659112444186040&__xts__%5B0%
9th March - Cathy Reid pays tribute to her beautiful son Karl Robertson
“Three years ago today our beautiful much loved son Karl was cruelly taken from this world. Karl was so caring and kind. He was so Gentle and will be forever loved. Our hearts will always be broken without our beautiful Son. Karl was out jogging and was killed in a hit and run by a driver who had three disqualifications and 47 previous convictions. He left my son to die, his only thought was for himself.
The heartbreak will remain until I leave this world.
We knew Karl would want us to stay strong and to use our pain for positive change in road safety. To work towards ensuring that Gardai were issued with the long overdue mobility devices to instantly detect drivers who ignore their ban.
We joined the road safety/victim support group PARC and worked very closely with Assistant Commissioner in Roads Policing David Sheahan and his outstanding team. We spoke out, through the national media and called for an end to the many delays in issuing these devices to members of the Roads Policing Units nationwide. We attended checkpoints and were hugely impressed by the capability of these new devices which enabled Gardai to have instant access to driver and vehicle details at the roadside. Myself and Karl’s cousin Aisling spoke of our family’s loss at the launch of these devices issued to Gardai in Limerick and Dublin.
Now, exactly three years after receiving the heart-breaking news of our only son’s death we welcome the bittersweet news that ALL members of the Roads Policing Units have been issued with these devices in 2020.
We strongly believe that Karl, working through us - his family - has played a very important part by getting the ‘powers that be’ to sit up and listen, to realise the importance in giving our garda force the technology and equipment required to detect these law breakers and to ACT.
We have no doubt that these devices will be game changers in making our roads safer. Technology that allows Gardai at the roadside to check, in a matter of seconds, if a driver is disqualified and take them off our roads.
Our campaign has not finished yet though. We must make sure that these devices are as effective as they are capable of being. The Courts Service, the Road Safety Authority and the Transport Minister must ensure that the information downloaded onto these devices from Transport's Database is accurate, complete and up to date for the detection of ALL those who should not be driving”.
https://www.rte.ie/…/20…/0815/985278-karl-robertson-inquest/
27th February - PARC members invited to speak today at the Garda launch of the new speeding detection and mobility devices issued to members of the Dublin Roads Policing Units.
Aisling Reid of PARC spoke to Gardai receiving their new devices about the death of her cousin Karl Robertson, killed by a driver with three disqualifications. She described the endless heartbreak suffered by his mother Cathy, father Tony and sister Niamh every day since. She welcomed the new state of the art technology with open arms… devices that will assist Gardai in instantly identifying drivers who should be off our roads…
23rd February - PARC Road Safety Group PARC members were delighted to attend the National Launch of the Garda Mobility Device in Limerick.
We and were very impressed with the ability of this device. There should be nowhere now for the road traffic offenders to hide. This is the way forward for road safety thanks to Assistant Commissioner David Sheahan and his team in Roads Policing.Garda Síochána - Cork, Kerry & Limerick - Southern Region added 15 new photos to the album: National Launch of Garda Mobility Device.
7th February - Huge thank you to Conor Feehan Irish Independent for reporting from Naas Circuit Court yesterday on death of Christopher Fitzgerald in a road traffic collision on 17 August 2018
https://www.independent.ie/…/daughter-walked-down-aisle-wit…
31st January - "Without the PARC 'Finding Your Way' booklet we would have been truly lost and would not have known what to expect"... These are the words of Christopher Fitzgerald's wife and daughter when describing to us how helpful our guide was to them following his tragic death on a road traffic collision in 2018. May he rest in peace.
28th January - PARC receives following message from recently bereaved family who found our free booklet 'Finding Your Way' very informative.
"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for your support after the tragic loss of my husband in January. Your prompt response to sending out copies of the 'Finding Your Way' booklet, your emails and telephone calls, have helped both myself and my family during this devastating time. Your booklet has given us invaluable information as regards the various stages of the processes involved, without which we would have been lost."
Sincerest thanks
Loraine
24th January - PARC Statement in Appreciation of the work of Tommy Broughan
When we first heard that Deputy Tommy Broughan was retiring from the Dáil our first thoughts were for ourselves. How are we in road safety going to survive without his assistance. Tommy has been helping PARC almost since its foundation following the death of Steve Gray in a road traffic collision in Donegal in 2004.
Tommy was a TD with the common touch and is a most approachable, sincere and good man. A person who gave his voice to those of us who would never have been heard otherwise. We have lost count of the number of parliamentary questions he asked for us over the years. His retirement will be a massive loss to road safety.
When Tommy asked a PQ, you knew he was well versed in the subject as he put the time into research. He was undoubtedly one of the hardest working TDs in Dáil Eireann, being so well versed on all topics up for debate. He was a man who took his work very seriously and not only worked for his constituents of Dublin Bay North but for the electorate of the republic. Through his involvement with PARC he developed an in-depth knowledge of Road Traffic Law and the inadequacies in that whole area. Not only did he ask the questions on behalf of PARC but he doggedly pursued them until he got substantive and relevant answers. He was a man of great integrity and had little patience with those appearing to lack that virtue. For a shy and quiet man, he could be fearless in calling out Ministers. We have no doubt that his perseverance, hard work and dedication saved many lives. What better achievement could a retiring TD be proud of?
Tommy had another great gift that few know about and that was his ability to select excellent staff for his office. Through our dealings with them over the years, they have been nothing but courteous supportive and diligent.
Now that we have got over our initial shock and selfish thoughts of ourselves, we are really delighted for Tommy who deserves a well-earned rest from the frenetic pace of life of a dedicated and hard- working TD.
We wish Tommy a long, healthy, happy and carefree retirement with his wife Carmel and to his staff we know that they will be snapped up by any incoming TD who had even a titter of wit.
24th January - Bereaved families of road traffic victims are contacting PARC to inform that their Garda Family Liaison Officer has not provided them with a copy of our 'Finding Your Way' information booklet.
22nd January - PARC is not in favour of the Minister for Transport Shane Ross's proposed Graduated speeding fines law. Why?
There are huge problems with existing laws that must be sorted before introducing more complicated laws. In 2019 the High Court ruled that road traffic legislation amended in 2016 on Fixed charge Notices is unconstitutional, affecting 28,000 cases. The Transport Minister Shane Ross did nothing about it since the High Court ruling. Speeding cases are now being struck out all over the country.
There are also real problems with speed limits in this country as many are obviously wrong and must be updated.
21st January - PARC welcomes the increase in checkpoints we are seeing as we travel the roads recently ... many more speed checks witnessed also.
We must now see Transport, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Courts Service joining the dots. ...to ensure that all those caught actually get the penalty points applied to their licence and all those disqualified actually get their licence details recorded onto the RSA and Transport's driver databases.
13th January - Disqualified driver caught twice in 2 weeks
But our transport minister Shane Ross is delaying giving gardai instant access to his driver file record until May 2020! (Parliamentary question raised by Deputy Tommy Broughan)..
6th January - PARC Road Safety Group wishes Ms Moyagh Murdock CEO of the RSA well in her new position as CEO of Insurance Ireland.
January 2020 - It is now 15 years since Stephen Gray was killed in a road traffic collision in Inishowen Donegal on St Stephens night 2004. Steve’s memory lives on and through the work and campaigns of PARC, set up in 2006 in his name, he will never be forgotten. http://www.parcroadsafety.ie/parcs-campaigns.html
27th May - We are now seeing the real value of increased checkpoints using the new mobility devices (thanks to Assistant Commissioner David Sheehan for this initiative).
These extra checkpoints have shown up the huge number of disqualified drivers still out there using our roads and the alarming number of unaccompanied learner drivers being detected.
The tragic news that 60 people have been killed on Irish roads so far this year which is 5 more than in the same period in 2019 is very worrying... especially when you consider that we are in a LOCKDOWN period with far less traffic using our roads!
Official figures sent to PARC this week shows that 923 cars were seized from unaccompanied learner drivers in the first quarter of 2020 and 1,578 fixed charge penalty point notices were issued.
While it is encouraging to hear that there have also been huge numbers of disqualified drivers detected in the same period, we await official figures on those.
Can you imagine when all the traffic is back on the roads just how many unaccompanied learner drivers and disqualified drivers may be still using the roads...
8th May - The following commendation from the Assistant Commissioner in Roads Policing for PARC's guide is praise indeed...
“The death or serious injury of a loved one as a result of a traffic collision is one of the most traumatic and difficult experiences in anyone’s life. It is upsetting for the Gardaí who have to call on family homes to break the devastating news about loved ones. Those early moments spent in the home are always filled with anguish and heartbreak. The questions ‘how’ and ‘why’ invariably arise and while the lives of those left behind must go on, they will never be the same.
It is the days and weeks after that horrific day, that questions become more pronounced and the investigating Garda who often breaks the news, is now supported by a specially trained Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) whose duty it is to support the family and keep them informed throughout the investigation.
A huge support to families and to Garda Family Liaison Officers is the guide researched and written by the victim support and road safety group PARC and published in 2012. It is kept updated by their members. This guide is called ‘Finding Your Way – a guide for families of victims following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a road traffic collision’. It guides the victims through a series of steps from the Garda investigation through to the legal proceedings that may follow. It encourages the families to ask the appropriate questions empowering them to know their rights and to access information regarding their loved one’s death or serious injury.
Such is the esteem in which PARC’s guide is held by An Garda Síochána that all FLOs in the service are issued with copies and it is Garda policy that they deliver them to families in their care.
PARC’s guide is not only forward thinking and informative but a poignant reminder that the collision is often only the start of a very convoluted and stressful process for the family – a process when followed through will get answers for families and help them to heal”.
David J. Sheahan,
Assistant Commissioner.
Roads Policing and Major Event Management.
17th April 2020
7th May - The memory of Karl Robertson who was killed by a disqualified driver lives on as bereaved families see the Garda Mobility device in action and disqualified drivers being taken off the road.
Limerick Roads Policing Unit pays tribute to Karl today with the following message on Facebook.
"Karl Robertson is in our thoughts today as he would have turned 32.
In 2017, Cathy Reid's only son - Karl - was out jogging and was killed in a hit & run collision by a disqualified driver.
3 years on, Cathy & her niece Aisling, have courageously spoken to Gardaí during the National rollout of our Mobility Devices. Cathy & her family have given us an insight into the loss & grief caused by this incident. We are now able to detect driver's who are #disqualified from driving by using the Garda Mobility Device at the roadside. We can also detect if a driver has exceeded the maximum amount of penalty points allowed.
The memory of Karl lives on when bereaved families see the device in action and disqualified drivers being taken off the road.
Gardaí from across Ireland now have these devices, allowing us to be more accessible within the community, more efficient while contributing to road safety and enhancing the services we provide in addition to denying criminals the use of our roads.
#ForKarl #MobilityApp #MobilityDevice #SaferRoads
29 April - We received the following testimonial today from Garda Inspector Michael Harrison - Donegal Roads Policing Inspector.
"There is one thing a family looks for in the aftermath of a fatal collision and that is answers “How did it happen and why?” From the feedback I get from family liaison officers (FLOs) the PARC “Finding Your Way" Guide gives family's a reference document where if they have a question they can look at the booklet and in most occasions the answer will be provided or the guide will tell them how to look for the answer. This Guide is an invaluable resource for families and FLOs working together to deal with the dreadful grief of losing a loved family member in a fatal road traffic collision.”
Garda Inspector Michael Harrison - Roads Policing Inspector Donegal
26th April - We wish to sincerely thank the Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan for providing a link to our website and information guide for families of road traffic victims, on the new version of Justice's Victims Charter. Look for PARC Road Safety Group.
25 April - Is it acceptable to you as an Irish citizen to see a driver who pleads guilty over crash that killed a little three year old child and seriously injured her father getting a mere fine and a 4 year driving ban. Just imagine the pain of this family now compounded by this slap on the wrist for the driver. What messages is this sending out?
Link to Irish Independent interview with little Estlin Wall's parents https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/how-do-you-come-up-with-a-figure-like-750-for-causing-the-death-of-a-child-in-a-car-crash-mother-of-estlin-3-39156121.html
24th April - Many disqualified drivers are now being detected by Roads Policing Units nationwide using the new mobility devices. With the support of the Courts Service, RSA and Transport Minister many more could be easily detected. We, as a voluntary road safety and victim support group will continue our campaign to ensure that these devices are as effective as they have the ability to be.
23rd April - 52 people have died on our roads so far this year - 5 more than for the same period in 2019.
If you have lost a loved one you should receive a copy of our information guide from your Garda Family Liaison Officer as directed by the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The booklet 'Finding Your Way' outlines the steps involved in the garda investigation, inquest, civil and criminal cases....
22nd April - Good to see Gardai detecting many more road traffic offenders now due to the higher number of checkpoints. See report at https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/nearly-500-people-caught-drink-or-drug-driving-in-last-four-weeks-995723.html
25th March - Our victim support group received this message from a recently bereaved wife with a road safety message for us all.
"My husband Maurice should be celebrating his birthday this week. He was killed in a road traffic collision on 4th January which has left a huge void in our lives.
Please take a moment to look at this photo of Maurice and the next time you travel the roads please remember that life is short, fragile and very very precious.
Just like we are all now responsible for others health safety in the Corona Virus crisis we also have a responsibility as drivers for others safety on the road. Please please remember to drive very carefully to safeguard life on the road".
Loraine
16th March - Storage of towed cars cost Gardai 8m yearly
Read https://extra.ie/2020/03/16/news/irish-news/towed-car-storage-costs-gardai?fbclid=IwAR3PtbDNR_3njQxxDRrxgP0vCXo9eRiyEXMnVzezz97SuxVinKSry3USFRs
9th March - An Garda Siochana acknowledges PARC's campaign for the roll out of mobility devices for all Roads Policing Units in memory of Karl Robertson who was killed by a disqualified driver with three driving bans https://www.facebook.com/pg/Garda-S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-Cork-Kerry-Limerick-Southern-Region-676247719139199/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2659112444186040&__xts__%5B0%
9th March - Cathy Reid pays tribute to her beautiful son Karl Robertson
“Three years ago today our beautiful much loved son Karl was cruelly taken from this world. Karl was so caring and kind. He was so Gentle and will be forever loved. Our hearts will always be broken without our beautiful Son. Karl was out jogging and was killed in a hit and run by a driver who had three disqualifications and 47 previous convictions. He left my son to die, his only thought was for himself.
The heartbreak will remain until I leave this world.
We knew Karl would want us to stay strong and to use our pain for positive change in road safety. To work towards ensuring that Gardai were issued with the long overdue mobility devices to instantly detect drivers who ignore their ban.
We joined the road safety/victim support group PARC and worked very closely with Assistant Commissioner in Roads Policing David Sheahan and his outstanding team. We spoke out, through the national media and called for an end to the many delays in issuing these devices to members of the Roads Policing Units nationwide. We attended checkpoints and were hugely impressed by the capability of these new devices which enabled Gardai to have instant access to driver and vehicle details at the roadside. Myself and Karl’s cousin Aisling spoke of our family’s loss at the launch of these devices issued to Gardai in Limerick and Dublin.
Now, exactly three years after receiving the heart-breaking news of our only son’s death we welcome the bittersweet news that ALL members of the Roads Policing Units have been issued with these devices in 2020.
We strongly believe that Karl, working through us - his family - has played a very important part by getting the ‘powers that be’ to sit up and listen, to realise the importance in giving our garda force the technology and equipment required to detect these law breakers and to ACT.
We have no doubt that these devices will be game changers in making our roads safer. Technology that allows Gardai at the roadside to check, in a matter of seconds, if a driver is disqualified and take them off our roads.
Our campaign has not finished yet though. We must make sure that these devices are as effective as they are capable of being. The Courts Service, the Road Safety Authority and the Transport Minister must ensure that the information downloaded onto these devices from Transport's Database is accurate, complete and up to date for the detection of ALL those who should not be driving”.
https://www.rte.ie/…/20…/0815/985278-karl-robertson-inquest/
27th February - PARC members invited to speak today at the Garda launch of the new speeding detection and mobility devices issued to members of the Dublin Roads Policing Units.
Aisling Reid of PARC spoke to Gardai receiving their new devices about the death of her cousin Karl Robertson, killed by a driver with three disqualifications. She described the endless heartbreak suffered by his mother Cathy, father Tony and sister Niamh every day since. She welcomed the new state of the art technology with open arms… devices that will assist Gardai in instantly identifying drivers who should be off our roads…
23rd February - PARC Road Safety Group PARC members were delighted to attend the National Launch of the Garda Mobility Device in Limerick.
We and were very impressed with the ability of this device. There should be nowhere now for the road traffic offenders to hide. This is the way forward for road safety thanks to Assistant Commissioner David Sheahan and his team in Roads Policing.Garda Síochána - Cork, Kerry & Limerick - Southern Region added 15 new photos to the album: National Launch of Garda Mobility Device.
7th February - Huge thank you to Conor Feehan Irish Independent for reporting from Naas Circuit Court yesterday on death of Christopher Fitzgerald in a road traffic collision on 17 August 2018
https://www.independent.ie/…/daughter-walked-down-aisle-wit…
31st January - "Without the PARC 'Finding Your Way' booklet we would have been truly lost and would not have known what to expect"... These are the words of Christopher Fitzgerald's wife and daughter when describing to us how helpful our guide was to them following his tragic death on a road traffic collision in 2018. May he rest in peace.
28th January - PARC receives following message from recently bereaved family who found our free booklet 'Finding Your Way' very informative.
"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for your support after the tragic loss of my husband in January. Your prompt response to sending out copies of the 'Finding Your Way' booklet, your emails and telephone calls, have helped both myself and my family during this devastating time. Your booklet has given us invaluable information as regards the various stages of the processes involved, without which we would have been lost."
Sincerest thanks
Loraine
24th January - PARC Statement in Appreciation of the work of Tommy Broughan
When we first heard that Deputy Tommy Broughan was retiring from the Dáil our first thoughts were for ourselves. How are we in road safety going to survive without his assistance. Tommy has been helping PARC almost since its foundation following the death of Steve Gray in a road traffic collision in Donegal in 2004.
Tommy was a TD with the common touch and is a most approachable, sincere and good man. A person who gave his voice to those of us who would never have been heard otherwise. We have lost count of the number of parliamentary questions he asked for us over the years. His retirement will be a massive loss to road safety.
When Tommy asked a PQ, you knew he was well versed in the subject as he put the time into research. He was undoubtedly one of the hardest working TDs in Dáil Eireann, being so well versed on all topics up for debate. He was a man who took his work very seriously and not only worked for his constituents of Dublin Bay North but for the electorate of the republic. Through his involvement with PARC he developed an in-depth knowledge of Road Traffic Law and the inadequacies in that whole area. Not only did he ask the questions on behalf of PARC but he doggedly pursued them until he got substantive and relevant answers. He was a man of great integrity and had little patience with those appearing to lack that virtue. For a shy and quiet man, he could be fearless in calling out Ministers. We have no doubt that his perseverance, hard work and dedication saved many lives. What better achievement could a retiring TD be proud of?
Tommy had another great gift that few know about and that was his ability to select excellent staff for his office. Through our dealings with them over the years, they have been nothing but courteous supportive and diligent.
Now that we have got over our initial shock and selfish thoughts of ourselves, we are really delighted for Tommy who deserves a well-earned rest from the frenetic pace of life of a dedicated and hard- working TD.
We wish Tommy a long, healthy, happy and carefree retirement with his wife Carmel and to his staff we know that they will be snapped up by any incoming TD who had even a titter of wit.
24th January - Bereaved families of road traffic victims are contacting PARC to inform that their Garda Family Liaison Officer has not provided them with a copy of our 'Finding Your Way' information booklet.
22nd January - PARC is not in favour of the Minister for Transport Shane Ross's proposed Graduated speeding fines law. Why?
There are huge problems with existing laws that must be sorted before introducing more complicated laws. In 2019 the High Court ruled that road traffic legislation amended in 2016 on Fixed charge Notices is unconstitutional, affecting 28,000 cases. The Transport Minister Shane Ross did nothing about it since the High Court ruling. Speeding cases are now being struck out all over the country.
There are also real problems with speed limits in this country as many are obviously wrong and must be updated.
21st January - PARC welcomes the increase in checkpoints we are seeing as we travel the roads recently ... many more speed checks witnessed also.
We must now see Transport, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Courts Service joining the dots. ...to ensure that all those caught actually get the penalty points applied to their licence and all those disqualified actually get their licence details recorded onto the RSA and Transport's driver databases.
13th January - Disqualified driver caught twice in 2 weeks
But our transport minister Shane Ross is delaying giving gardai instant access to his driver file record until May 2020! (Parliamentary question raised by Deputy Tommy Broughan)..
6th January - PARC Road Safety Group wishes Ms Moyagh Murdock CEO of the RSA well in her new position as CEO of Insurance Ireland.
January 2020 - It is now 15 years since Stephen Gray was killed in a road traffic collision in Inishowen Donegal on St Stephens night 2004. Steve’s memory lives on and through the work and campaigns of PARC, set up in 2006 in his name, he will never be forgotten. http://www.parcroadsafety.ie/parcs-campaigns.html