Residents praise Laois gardaí for speeding crackdown

A VAN that was stopped for speeding was seized by Laois gardaí yesterday, after the driver proved to have no insurance.

The Citroën Berlingo was recorded doing 77kph in a 50kph zone in Garryhinch, Portarlington on Friday.

According to gardaí, the speed check was welcomed by residents in the area, where speeding is an ongoing problem.

After the van was pulled in by the Laois Roads Policing Unit, it emerged that the driver had no tax or insurance.

The vehicle was impounded and loaded onto a recovery truck, which towed it away from the scene.

Gardaí commented on social media: ‘This isn’t the crime of the century but to the people who live in the area, it matters.

‘While gardaí were dealing with the stop, a local resident approached to say how glad she was to see enforcement in the area, adding that many locals feel the same due to ongoing speeding concerns.’ 

Posting photos from the scene on the Garda Síochána Laois Offaly Facebook page, gardaí added: ‘Road safety isn’t all about headlines. It’s about listening to communities and acting where it counts.’ 

The van driver is facing a court appearance for a series of traffic offences.