News 2020
25th December 2020 - A Christmas road safety message to all from a bereaved family.
"This is our first beautiful grandchild Gavin Christopher who's grandad Christopher was robbed of the chance to meet, spoil him and watch him grow up and do all the things grandads do with their grandsons but because someone was not paying attention to the road Gavin Christopher will only know his grandad through a picture or a story so please slow down Keep your eyes on the road in front of you and think before you drink this festive session and don't leave families heartbroken without their loved ones."
25th December 2020 - A Christmas road safety message to all from a bereaved family.
"This is our first beautiful grandchild Gavin Christopher who's grandad Christopher was robbed of the chance to meet, spoil him and watch him grow up and do all the things grandads do with their grandsons but because someone was not paying attention to the road Gavin Christopher will only know his grandad through a picture or a story so please slow down Keep your eyes on the road in front of you and think before you drink this festive session and don't leave families heartbroken without their loved ones."
24th December 2020 - Irish Independent reports today on our victim support group's fury at road safety body giving €150 vouchers to disqualified drivers.
https://www.independent.ie/.../fury-at-road-safety-body...
22nd December 2020- A welcome road safety message from An Garda Siochana to all learner drivers today.
"An Garda Síochána remind all Learner Permit drivers that they must be accompanied by a qualified driver.
It is now exactly 2 years since the introduction of the Clancy Amendment to improve safety on our roads by providing An Garda Síochána with an additional power to seize vehicles from Learner drivers who were driving a vehicle without being accompanied by a qualified driver.
Since the introduction of the Clancy Amendment on the 22nd December 2018 over 5,500 (5,827) vehicles have been seized from unaccompanied learner drivers.
In total, over 12,500 (12,616) Fixed charge notices have been issued to Learner Permit drivers for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver over the same period.
Chief Superintendent Ray Mc Mahon Garda National Roads Policing Bureau speaking In Garda headquarters today said: “We cannot emphasise enough the importance of complying with this legislation. MPVs in inexperienced or unlicensed hands have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone. An Garda Síochána will continue to enforce legislation that will improve road safety for all. Under the ‘Clancy Provision’ Learner or unlicensed drivers who choose to ignore this legislation will have their car seized and owners who allow their vehicle to be used will now face prosecution".
The learner driver provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, commenced on the 22nd December 2018, known as the ‘Clancy Amendment’.
These provisions make it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or an unlicensed person to drive his or her vehicle. The provisions also extend the power of detention under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 to allow the Garda Síochána to detain a vehicle being driven, in the Garda’s opinion, by an unaccompanied learner.
Sample detection's on 22/12/20
Roads Policing Unit Naas on an Operation targeting Leaner permit holders driving unaccompanied- impounded 2 vehicles from unaccompanied learners on an early morning checkpoint -
Today is the anniversary of the Clancy amendment being signed into law".
18th December 2020 - Interview by Noel Clancy of PARC regarding a gaping learner driver loophole that the Road Safety Authority has failed to close since 2013.
IRISHEXAMINER.COM
Cork campaigner wants 'gaping' learner driver loophole closed
30th November 2020 - PARC members whose loved ones were killed by unaccompanied learner drivers welcome the seizure of thousands of cars driven by learners breaking this law.
https://www.thejournal.ie/clancy-amendment-5277149.../...
23rd November 2020 - Dail question raised by TD Catherine Murphy on behalf of our group.
A reply to a Parliamentary Question on learner drivers shows that there is a constant INCREASE in learner drivers being detected ignoring the law and driving unaccompanied. Gardai are now seizing about 8 vehicles per day from unaccompanied learners and have issued 11,512 fixed charge notices under the Clancy Amendment law. Why is the Road Safety Authority allowing these drivers to renew their permits time and time again without ever sitting a driving test? Why did the Department of Transport decide not to close this loophole in 2014 as pledged in its Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 ? https://www.independent.ie/.../gardai-seizing-eight-cars..
15th November 2020 - World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
Today our victim support group remembers all those who have been killed on Irish roads and in other parts of the world. We especially remember those who have been killed in the recent past and those of the PARC family who have been killed. Go bhfanfaidh siad i suaimhneas De. We also remember all the families left behind to grieve their loss, the injured and those that care for them. We would like to sincerely thank all those who contacted PARC with requests to remember their lost loved ones on this day. We have been inundated with requests and will continue to post messages received.
Isn’t it extraordinary that in this year of lockdowns with so little traffic on the roads that we have 11 more deaths than this time last year, with 127 lives lost?
The best way we could remember our lost loved ones is to learn the lessons that they have taught us, so that in future our roads are safer for all road users. But are we learning anything?
To produce good drivers, we need proper education and training for the learner drivers as early as possible in their driving careers. We must not tolerate them practising bad habits over a long period of time. To ensure that they become good drivers we need mandatory testing before the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issues them with a second and subsequent permit. Learners who are not required by the RSA to be tested and continually practice bad habits could well become the drivers in the future who are responsible for death and injury to themselves or others. A driving test is the measure of a learner’s ability to drive and will show up weak points. The learner can then work on those areas which need improvement and ultimately become a proficient driver. Over time, those learner drivers not tested may become experienced in their bad habits. This cohort of drivers could easily become the disqualified drivers of the future but only when it’s too late and they have caused loss of life to themselves or others.The driving test backlog is no excuse for releasing untested learners on our roads time and time again who may be a real danger to road users.
Among the qualified drivers there are serial lawbreakers who build up 12 penalty points or are disqualified in court and continue to drive. For these drivers we need much stronger measures to ensure they are removed from our roads.
Both of these measures would mean that we all travel with much more confidence and safety into the future.
4th November 2020 - Aaron Mc Colgan jailed for three and a half years and banned from driving for 15 years for causing the death of father of three John Mc Laughlin in road crash in Inishowen Donegal in 2017. Justice?
DONEGALDAILY.COM
Driver who killed popular GAA coach is jailed and banned
3rd November 2020 - Motor insurance rising even though claims have fallen...
RTE.IE
Motor insurance premium costs up despite lower claims
9th October 2020 - Disqualified drivers
Our figures show that Gardai are now catching disqualified drivers on a regular basis by using their new mobility device at the roadside. Deputy Catherine Murphy has raised questions on PARC's concerns on this worrying trend and we look forward to analysing the requested report.
Our research on this particular road safety issue is in memory of Karl Robertson who was killed by a driver who had three disqualifications at the time of the fatal hit and run in Dublin on 8th March 2017. Rest in peace Karl.
Link to latest report by Meath Roads Policing Unit of their detection of a disqualified driver. .://twitter.com/GardaTr.../status/1314899413526081538...
7th October 2020 - PARC's opinion reported in Irish Times today on the Road Traffic Law amended by Transport Minister Shane Ross in 2017 that is unconstitutional.
The High Court ruled in October 2019 that Minister Ross's amendment to legislation on 1st June 2017 was unconstitutional and may result in up to 28,000 speeding/mobile phone cases being affected as Transport has now decided not to appeal the ruling or amend the legislation.
Link to report by David Labanyi Irish Times.
https://www.irishtimes.com/.../minister-not-to-appeal...
7th October 2020 - PARC's views reported in Irish Independent today relating to Parliamentary questions raised on our behalf by Deputy Catherine Murphy on learner drivers.
Link to report by Shane Phelan https://www.independent.ie/.../high-proportion-of-learner...
7th October 2020 - Reply from Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to a question raised for PARC
In response to a Parliamentary question raised by Deputy Catherine Murphy for PARC on our concerns that gardai cannot access basic information from Transport's driver file record at roadside checks the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said "My Department is currently working with An Garda Siochana to enable its handheld devices access real-time driver and vehicle data".
Following PARC's meeting with Minister Hildegarde Naughton yesterday this issue is now being followed up with a report due to our road safety and victim support group.
6th October 2020 - Successful meeting with Minister responsible for roads safety
Susan Gray and Aisling Reid from PARC had a very productive meeting with Minister Hildegarde Naughton today on many outstanding issues we have on road safety matters. We look forward to working with the Minister in the future with an aim to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads.
2nd October 2020 -Welcome news from Kerry
PARC welcomes the news that Roads Policing Units in Kerry are the latest to receive training today on issuing fixed charge notices at the roadside using their new handheld mobility devices. Way forward for road safety.
1st October 2020 - Fond memories of our dear friend and work colleague David Walsh Dungarvan who died a year ago today.
Through his work with PARC David was a beacon of light for families of victims of road traffic collisions and worked tirelessly to make our roads safer.
We will be forever grateful to you David - you will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace our friend.
25th September 2020 - Deaths on Irish roads rise despite pandemic lockdown. 112 people have died in road traffic collisions to date in 2020. This is an increase of 13 fatalities compared to the same period in 2019.
17th September 2020 -"Where no drivers licence is produced at the roadside, it is proposed that an Garda Siochana will have the ability to search the driver record with additional search criteria such as name, address, date of birth etc"
This is Minister Eamon Ryan's response to question raised for our group by Deputy Catherine Murphy on his plans to share information from his database with Gardai to data pertaining to driving licences and learner permits.
Imagine - this is still a 'work in progress' in the year 2020!
10th September 2020 - Road deaths continue to rise
105 people have died on Irish roads to date in 2020. This is an increase of 11 fatalities compared to same period in 2019. May they all rest in peace.
2nd September 2020 - One hundred people have now lost their lives in road crashes so far in 2020.
This is an increase of 11 compared to this time last year. RIP
1 September - MONEY VOUCHERS now for disqualified drivers from the Road Safety Authority. What next?
The RSA's New Ad- “We are seeking drivers disqualified in last five years who are back on the road now, for a new survey for the RSA. There is a €150 voucher in recognition of importance of this work for reducing burden of road traffic collisions”.
28 August 2020 - The number of fatalities on Irish roads is up by 9 so far in 2020 compared to 2019.
As of 28th August 2020 there have been 94 people killed in road traffic collisions compared to 85 for the same period in 2019. RIP
25th August 2020 - A very dangerous road message is being delivered to drivers this week.
Link to Irish Times report IRISHTIMES.COM
Garda discretion under spotlight after verbal warning for Hogan
25th August 2020 - Message received by our victim support group from a bereaved family today.
"My husband Christopher was killed on 17th August 2018 in Kildare by a man using his mobile phone around the time of the fatal crash. He crossed the white line and killed my husband instantly. Christopher was on his way home from work at the time of his death.
Its an absolute disgrace to hear the news today that an EU Commissioner was caught on his mobile phone while driving, exactly two years later, to the day, on 17th August 2020 in Kildare. The mobile phone while driving law needs to be enforced vigorously by An Garda Siochana no matter what the driver's status is. Too many lives are lost on our roads with too many broken hearts and devastated families left behind to pick up the pieces".
24th August 2020 - EU commissioner Phil Hogan detected by Gardai using his mobile phone while driving in Kildare in 17 August. He only received a caution from Gardai at the time instead of the three penalty points due to his licence for breaking this law...
Our Govt now waiting for full report from Mr Hogan.
Link to RTE report RTE.IE
Govt waiting on 'full account' from Phil Hogan
The Government is awaiting a "full account" from EU Commissioner
21st August 2020 - Horrific news -
Three people have lost their lives in a road tragedy in Inishowen Donegal last night. Gardai are looking for witnesses or anyone with information.
May they rest in peace
7th August 2020 - Four people have died on Irish roads over the August long weekend in Co Wexford, and Co. Cork compared to NO deaths during the same holiday weekend in 2019. May they rest in peace.
Excellent report in Irish Times today with many facts and figures showing just how dangerous our roads still are…
https://www.irishtimes.com/.../garda%C3%AD-make-160...?
29th July 2020 - Welcome news of increase to number of garda Inspectors to 120.
Link to RTE.IE
Number of garda inspectors to be increased by 120
The Government has announced it is to increase the number of garda i
20th July 2020 - Message of thanks received from Co Armagh family
“I lost my beloved sister in a tragic road traffic collision. I was so traumatised that I could not find the words to ask what happened. I am very grateful to An Garda Siochana for posting me a copy of PARC's booklet 'Finding Your Way' - a guide for families of road traffic victims. The booklet was such a help and comfort to me.
Susan and her colleagues in PARC have written it in plain and simple language which I could understand. It really helped me to clarify my thoughts and understand the process of an investigation. I spoke to Susan and she was so helpful and compassionate and guided me to understand what I should ask and what would happen next. I am very grateful to this lovely lady who gave of her time to help me in my distress. She is to be highly commended for her dedication to helping others and on publishing this information booklet to help and support other people in tragic circumstances such as mine”.
Thank you so much
Co Armagh family
Statement by PARC road safety and victim support group
Political Shenanigans may have delivered an own goal?
In 2012 PARC wrote to the Road Safety Authority with concerns that learner drivers were continually renewing their permits without having to sit a driving test.
We asked the RSA to make it mandatory for learner permit holders to sit a test before they could obtain a subsequent permit. Provisions were included in the 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy and this loophole was due to be closed by April 2014 ....but we are still waiting!
On 15th February 2018 Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority stated to the media:
“One of the big problems we have with the driving tests is candidates failing to turn up for their driving test. We lose 6 to 7 weeks productivity on the driving tests every year because 19,000 people simply don't turn up for their test and don't ring in to cancel in advance. At the heart of this - people are applying for their test so they can renew or rollover their licence permit. We are looking at tackling that".
PARC has now written to the new Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to introduce these road safety measures without further delay.
Perhaps our wait is finally over now as we have been offered help from politicians following the political shenanigans last week in the Dáil.
ENDS: For further details contact Susan Gray Founder and Chair of PARC road safety group - 086 3773784
15th July 2020 - Barry Cowen is sacked by Taoiseach Micheal Martin today https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2020/0714/1153332-barry-cowen/
13th July 2020 - Transport Minister Eamon Ryan tells Mary Wilson on RTE Drivetime this evening that there needs to be further clarity from Minister Barry Cowen in the Dail relating to 11 unanswered questions posed by PARC
Listen back to clip at 1:54:18 in this link https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/11214161
8 July 2020 Statement by PARC road safety group
Following Minister Barry Cowen's statement to the Dáil Tuesday 7th July where NONE of the serious road safety issues raised by our victim support group were answered - we now ask our new Taoiseach Mícheál Martin to demand clarity and answers from his Minister. Failure to get these answers by our leader sends out a clear message to all drivers and lawmakers that road traffic laws need not apply to the legislators.
Our list of outstanding questions are:
1. How many learner permits did Barry Cowen obtain from the Road Safety Authority before sitting a test.
2. How often did he display L plates as is the law.
3. How often did he ensure that he was accompanied by a qualified driver as is the law.
4. How many times did he sit a driving test before passing
5. When exactly did he pass his driving test.
6. Did he display N plates on his vehicle for two years after passing the driving test, as is the law.
7. How many times was he detected speeding.
8. How many penalty points were applied to his learner permit.
9. Did he inform his insurance company of his penalty points.
10.Was he ever disqualified having accumulated the maximum penalty points for a learner driver which is 7 points.
When these questions are answered we can then issue our final statement. In the meantime, our Government needs to close the loophole whereby learners need never sit a driving test to drive on Irish roads...
Ends: For further details contact PARC Founder and Chairperson Susan Gray - 086 3773784
www.parcroadsafety.ie
7th July 2020 - PARC demands clarity on Barry Cowen's driving record as he failed to answer our questions in Dail yesterday evening as promised See Irish Times report https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/clarity-needed-on-barry-cowen-s-driving-record-says-road-safety-group-1.4299173?fbclid=IwAR2vT-fu8DuG8kcVmZKhwpdhhNNmHVb0iA6yxvx5HTD-NCd7LEEip9a6V8Y#.Xwc9nrWLrrE.facebook
Barry Cowen's statement in Dail - https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/barry-cowen-tells-d%C3%A1il-he-is-profoundly-sorry-for-stupid-drink-driving-offence-1.4298348?fbclid=IwAR3FSTRDUCVQDz_4XW0Xgibk2XqwXdIduWe3BTXcUJvBqPPt5cQhKu9Dw7U#.Xwc-VRssJak.facebook
6th July 2020 - Link to Susan Gray's interview on Six One news on PARC's stance on Minister Barry Cowen's road traffic offences- https://www.rte.ie/news/player/2020/0706/21798531-susan-gray-of-the-road-safety-group-parc/?fbclid=IwAR3PTA4zsojUpNqTIk4BTgh68iokF0yizjw83VtZvdc5JKERbUQYuxLvpQY
6th July 2020 - Minister Barry Cowen due to give statement to the Dail this evening on his drink driving conviction. He is also expected to answer PARC's questions relating to his learner permit following a phone call from Mr Cowen to Susan Gray this morning.
See RTE report - https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0706/1151690-cowen-statement-expected/?fbclid=IwAR3Zw1vAuSbniHSzqYIJzdgtrSLChZqVJpzSMcGHm4kyAzeXLsjOyy3WyEM
7th June - Welcome news today - the Government has scrapped plans for graduated speeding penalties - a proposal that PARC was never in favour of as it was unenforceable and would only have added more problems to a system that is already in bad need of fixing...
https://www.irishtimes.com/…/doubts-raised-over-shane-ross-…
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
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
"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.
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
"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