An influx of more than 900 self-styled "boy racers" to both Waterford city and Tramore at the weekend passed off relatively peacefully, although several business premises in the seaside resort were damaged by vandals.
Contingency plans had been put in place by gardaí after they received information last week about the expected arrival of the young motorists, whose high-powered cars cause considerable noise nuisance.
Extra gardaí from Kilkenny and from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, backed up city-based members of the force. Businesses deployed extra security personnel at car-parks and in some cases locked them up.
Several hundred young motorists converged on the promenade in Tramore on Saturday night and a similar number were reported to have driven around various parts of Waterford city.
The youths moved between various car-parks and open spaces, including the Millers Marsh car-park in Johnstown and the car-park at Morris Builders' Providers on the Cork road. They also manoeuvred their cars around petrol station forecourts in the Cork road area. A number of the "racers" converged on the North Wharf, near Waterford railway station, where they removed stones which had been placed at the entrance to prevent them gaining access to the quayside.
Tramore witnessed the largest contingent of "racers" and more than 600 cars were reported to have been on the promenade at one stage. As well as the drivers of the cars, a sizeable group of followers was present, and a number of car enthusiasts were seen recording video footage of the different designs and extras on cars as well as some of the displays of erratic driving.
No arrests were made and there were no major incidents, according to a city-based Garda spokesperson. "A number of complaints were received from residents and other motorists in relation to dangerous driving, which will be followed up. If the complainant is prepared to make a statement, we will pursue the matter vigorously."
The Garda spokesperson suggested that advance media coverage may have kept some of the more troublesome "boy racers" away. "The publicity may have deterred that element. They prefer to keep a low profile. As they knew we were aware of their plans, that may have influenced their decision to stay away."
Gardaí monitored the young drivers when they returned to the main roads and a number of arrests are understood to have been made for suspected drink-driving offences. On-the-spot fines and penalty points were also handed out for speeding and other offences.