Garda bill of €10,000 could put Kells Road Races in jeopardy

A €10,000 bill for policing of the Kells Road Races is putting the future of the event in doubt and has been condemned by public representatives in the area. New Government regulations which stipulate that organisers of festivals, sports and other activities that require an additional Garda presence will have to pay towards policing the event has led to the race organisers being issued with a bill for €10,000. The new regulations have angered local public representatives who say the motorcycle races bring a major tourism boost to the town, attracting over 50,000 visitors annually. Kells Town Council has called a special meeting tomorrow night (Thursday) to discuss the bill which the cathaoirleach, Cllr Brian Curran, described as a major blow to the event. He urged all Meath's TDs to overturn the new legislation which has led to this extra expense on voluntary groups like the Kells Road Races committee. Cllr Conor Ferguson warned the new regulations would mean a lot of festival and fairs would go by the wayside as the organisers wouldn't be able to foot the extra costs. He pointed out that the Kells Road Races organisers are a voluntary group that receive no Government funding. "This is a disaster for them and it is time that funding is made to them from Failte Ireland or some other Government funding," he said. "The road races are a major benefit to the area, bringing huge numbers of visitors every year." Kells Road Races spokesperson, Aileen Ferguson, said the new charges would have a huge bearing on the event, as the organisers are all volunteers. She said the new regulations would be a major worry for a lot of voluntary groups who organise events around the country. Supt Pat Collins, Kells, would not comment on the Garda bill. Meanwhile, the Kells Road Race Committee held the official press launch last week for the annual Bike Fest, which forms part of the Road Races weekend. The Bike Fest, which takes place this year on Saturday 17th July, has become a major attraction over the weekend of the Adelaide International Kells Road Races. Events kick off at 1pm until 9pm and includes a full day's free entertainment. The star attraction will be world stunt rider, Mattie Griffin, who will give three free shows between 1pm and 9pm. The Adelaide Kells to Kells Rideout will also take place on the Saturday, starting in County Antrim and covering the 115 miles to Kells, arriving on the Fair Green at around 5pm with over 400 motorcyclists, accompanied by the Garda Motorcycle Unit. BTW Trikes will attempt an Irish record with a display of trikes at the Bike Fest up to 3pm. They will depart on their run and return at 6pm. ABC Motorcycle Training will operate a slow bike manoeuvre course and some of the groups taking part include the Gardai, the Defence Forces, motorcyclists, top road racers and local clubs. Honda 50s and trikes will take part in the annual 'Charity Classic Run' in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association which takes place on Friday 16th July. The Honda 50 Run in aid of 'Here to There Meath Autism' will start on the Fair Green, Kells, at 3pm and riders will travel the Boyne Valley route and return at 6.30pm.