Abandoned cars `add to theft problems'

Abandoning of cars that have failed the National Car Test (NCT) must be stopped if the unauthorised driving of cars is to be controlled, according to South Dublin County Council.

About 16,000 abandoned or burnt-out cars have been collected by the council since the NCT was introduced last January, costing the council almost £30,000.

These figures were revealed yesterday at the launch of the council's interim report on car theft and unauthorised driving, entitled "Inter-Agency Steering Group on So-Called `Joyriding' and other Anti-Social Behaviour Issues". A steering group was established in November 1999 to devise a strategy to combat the "scourge" of illegal driving in local authority housing estates, particularly in the Tallaght and Clondalkin areas.

Led by the county manager and the cathaoirleach of the county council, the steering group includes representation from the Departments of Justice, Education and Environment and Local Government. It also has the support of senior members of the i.Garda .

Speaking at yesterday's launch, the convenor of the steering group, Mr Michael Coleman, said the problems caused by the driving of stolen cars in the southwest Dublin area had "considerably worsened" since the number of abandoned cars had increased. "Our major recommendation is that the Society of the Irish Motor Industry should become involved in the recovery of these vehicles," he said. "Joy-riding is having a devastating affect on many local areas," Mr Coleman added.

The cathaoirleach of the council, Mr Stanley Laing, outlined other recommendations of the report, including the provision of extra gardai on the streets, the strengthening of laws prohibiting drinking in public places, more rigorous enforcement of the speed limit, particularly on local roads, and the creation of more drop-in centres with "low-key" supervision.

Mr Laing also emphasised the "vital role" that schools had to play in supporting the initiative. "We need to have a definite programme of education about the terror joy-riding causes," he said. He also stressed the need for more welfare officers to monitor school attendance.

The recommendations of the report are to be implemented by a working group that will include members of the steering group, local councillors and representatives of FAS.