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Road Safety

Gaybo to resign as RSA chairman, criticises a lack of garda resources

The RSA thanked him for his ‘tireless’ work as a campaigner.

THE ROAD SAFETY Authority (RSA) has said it will be “difficult to bid farewell” to Gay Byrne as he steps down as chairman of the association.

The former Late Late Show host had previously signalled his intention to resign on his 80th birthday, but has now officially announced his decision.

In a statement this afternoon, the RSA called his contribution to road safety “immense”.

“He has been a tireless campaigner for road safety by keeping the spotlight focused on this important social issue,” the statement read.

However, while Gay’s public work has been so effective it’s his unseen ‘behind the scenes’ work that marks him out as a very special Chairman.

The RSA thanked him for his service and wished him the best in his retirement.

Hampering efforts

Byrne announced the move today in an interview with the Sunday Independent, in which he stressed that a lack of garda resources is severely hampering efforts to clamp-down on drink-driving, aside from on bank holiday weekends.

He said that “enforcement has gone off completely and totally”.

Earlier this year, the veteran broadcaster refuted suggestions that he is retiring from Irish radio.

Byrne said his Lyric FM show was over for the season but would be returning in autumn, as has happened in previous years since he began presenting it.

Gay Byrne: If Callinan had said sorry, this would have all passed by >

More: Byrne refutes suggestion he’s retiring from radio >

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