Drop Down Menu
  Search...
 

 

Crash was "bad timing" for my car show 26.08.08

Shaun vows to continue with Port 'n' Polish

AN INISHOWEN motor enthusiast said it was "bad timing" that a serious crash involving teenagers happened just hours after his charity car show on Sunday.
Shaun McGonagle who held his second Port 'n' Polish event in Moville earlier that day said he was disappointed to hear of the accident in Greencastle that happened around 9pm.
Three young men were injured in the crash that sparked a major emergency and resulted in two ambulances, NowDoc and numerous Gardai attending the scene.
"As far as I'm aware, the fellas in that crash weren't at my show. When I heard about the accident the first thing I asked was 'were they at the show?' and a few people told me they weren't. That was a relief to me. It would seem that it was just a coincidence," said Shaun.

The 24-year old car fanatic from Ballybrack, Greencastle, explained that, at his request, there was a strong local Garda presence at Port 'n' Polish held in the Glencrow Business Park.
"They made their presence known and drove by at various times throughout the afternoon. They remarked how well-mannered and well behaved people were. Everybody left my show in an orderly manner,” added Shaun.
Shaun McGonagle at the Port 'n' Polish in 2007.
The event raised around €1,400 each for his chosen charities this year - the Foyle Hospice and the Foyle Punt Association.
Shaun reiterated his point about the youth driving culture in Inishowen.
"Obviously I can't vouch for every young driver in Inishowen and I'm not saying boyracers don't exist because they do. But I'm not a boyracer and I always try to promote road safety whenever I can. People shouldn't all be tarred with the same brush.
"People who are into modified cars spend thousands doing them up. If your tyres are worth €2,000 you're not going to be doing donuts to ruin them. People who've spent a lot of money on their cars don't even want to risk a stone chipping the paintwork," added Shaun who drives a €17,000 Nissan Skyline.
Meanwhile, this year's show was even “bigger and better” than last year’s. It attracted around 70 exhibitors and nearly 500 spectators.
Shaun vowed to continue with the event and hoped it would attract young drivers who are keen to indulge their passion for cars while staying safe and responsible on the road.
He always intended Port ‘n’ Polish to carry a strong road safety message and he even contacted Garda headquarters in Dublin this year to invite them to exhibit their official Garda Road Safety stand.
"They weren't able to do it this year but hopefully the Garda Road Safety Campaign stand will be on display next year," added Shaun.
Return to > News