Posted online: Nov 15th, 2007

By Paddy Clancy

editorial@donegalpost.com

Gardai are gearing up for one of the biggest traffic policing operations in the history of the force – and Donegal officers are at the forefront.

Several hundred vehicles, including patrol cars, motor cycles and unmarked cars, and hundreds more gardai on foot have been assigned to the north west for the Irish section of the World Rally Championships this week.

They will be backed by more than 2,000 marshalls and volunteer stewards who have been recruited locally and from as far away as the USA and Quatar.

The rally, one of a series contests around the world, starts at Stormont on Thursday and then moves to the western border counties for 19 more stages during Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Up to 150,000 people are expected to turn out as the rally zooms through their village or parish in counties, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan and Roscommon.

The Garda operation is spearheaded by Sligo-based Chief Supt Kieran Kenny and Ballyshannon resident Supt John McFadden who has charge of all traffic corps officers throughout the northwest.

Several top-level conferences to plan policing of the event have been held. Traffic corps gardai from Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal also gathered at Finner Army Camp to compare operational planning notes.

A senior Garda spokesman said: “For obvious reasons we cannot be specific about the numbers of vehicles involved but it will be a lot. It’s the biggest operation of its kind ever in the north west.”

Supt McFadden said: “In addition to the marked cars and motorcycles there will be a number of unmarked cars patrolling the roads. It will be both an overt and covert operation.”

A total of 62 helicopters have been registered for the rally. There are three sites at which a full service including air ground to communications, fire cover and ground handling will be available.
Another 34 sites are also being used with permission of the landowners.
The main operational control centre is at Sligo IT and will be operational daily.
As each stage progresses a section of restricted airspace 2000 ft high by 3 sq kms will become active over the cars to protect helicopters and spectators.

With live television coverage being beamed direct to 46 countries, and a further 170 countries taking edited highlights for a worldwide audience of 807 million, organisers have arranged facilities for up to 50 helicopters to criss-cross the skies during the four days of the rally.

Tourism and business chiefs reckon the event is worth up to €46 million to the north-west.

Main Donegal interest will be on Sunday when the Donegal Bay stage takes place. First car in this stage is scheduled to be off at 11.39 a.m.

The Donegal Bay stage can be accessed from the main N15 from Ballyshannon to Donegal Town by a number of link roads going west. There is plenty of parking along the main road south of Ballintra crossroads where the race will meander back towards Rossnowlagh before finishing near Legaltion and exiting for Co Sligo using the new N15 bypass and Rossnowlagh link road.

Here’s a list of start times and locations in the north west:

Friday, stages 2 to 10

Stages 2 and 5 Geevagh (8.05am and 11.29am)

Stages 3 and 6 Arigna (8.33am and 11.57am)

Stages 4 and 7 Lough Gill (9.24am and 12.48pm)

Stage 8 Glenboy (15.01pm)

Stage 9 Belcroy (15.54pm)

Stage 10 Drumshanbo (16.19pm)

Saturday, stages 11 to 16

Stages 11 and 14 Sloughan Glen (8.13am and 14.04pm)

Stages 12 and 15 Ballinamallard (9.08am and 14.59pm)

Stages 13 and 16 Tempo (9.51am and 15.42pm)

At Sloughan Glen, the rally route approaches the stage from the west through Pettigo and Drumskinny which must be kept clear. Competitors will pass through Tempo and Ballinamallard where strict parking restrictions will be in operation.

Sunday, stages 17 to 20

Co. Tyrone

Stage 17 Murley (9.03am)

Stage 18 Fardross (9.51am)

Co. Donegal

Stage 19 Donegal Bay (11.39am)

Co. Sligo

Stage 20 Mullaghmore (13.08pm)

In Mullaghmore, a park-and-ride service will operate to the final stage from Cliffoney on the N15. Arrive very early.

Finally spectators are advised to arrive early. Quite an amount of walking may be required to get to a vantage point. Special stages close to the public three hours before the first car is due. Spectator areas are clearly defined. Follow the advice of marshals and stewards to make the event an enjoyable one for all and ensure the event returns in two years time.