'Poison and hatred': Social media backlash as major Limerick event is cancelled

THE President of South West Road Races Athea has resigned with immediate effect after claiming he received a “huge amount of disgusting comments” following the announcement that the upcoming Athea Road Races event has been cancelled.

Mike Dalton issued a statement on social media, confirming he had stepped down from the role.

The event – last held 15 years ago – was due to take place in the west Limerick village on September 12 and 13 and was expected to attract a large number of spectators.

However, the race was called off on Thursday after a failed track inspection and with insufficient time remaining to address the issues raised.

The organisers announced the decision “with absolutely broken hearts” and said “everything was ready to go”.

In a statement, they said: “Everything was ready to go, but unfortunately our track inspection did not go to plan. While the general areas and corners were completed, issues remain on the back road and there is simply not enough time to carry out the necessary repairs.

“We cannot put into words the turmoil and devastation within our club right now. We have invested an enormous amount of time, work and money into making this event happen, and unfortunately this situation was completely out of our hands.”

The cancellation was confirmed just 48 hours after members of the Newcastle West Municipal District had pledged to give €6,000 to the club to cover the cost of portable toilets, ambulance services and other aspects of the event.

A total of €12,000 had been requested by the organisers, and it was suggested at Tuesday’s meeting that councillors from the Municipal District of Adare-Rathkeale could contribute towards the balance as some of the would-be competitors are from that area.

Prior to its cancellation, preparations for Athea Road Races were at an advanced stage, including the announcement, last month, by the local authority of a series of planned road closures to facilitate the event.

It’s understood thousands of spectators were expected to attend the event, which cost around €150,000 to organise.

The saga continued this Friday when club president Mike Dalton announced his resignation. In doing so, he claimed he had received messages of “poison and hatred” following a second, more detailed statement, which was released on Thursday evening.

“Following a huge amount of disgusting comments aimed personally at me following the release of the open and honest statement by our club yesterday evening, I have made the decision to resign as President of South West Road Races Athea, with immediate effect,” Dalton said.

“After everything that has come to light over the last few months, and especially what has been said publicly on social media over the last few days, I have had enough.

“I know there are people who did not like me or agree with how I chose to run things. That is fine. There is no obligation on anyone to like me or agree with the decisions I made but no person should be subjected to the poison and hatred that I have had to experience in the past 12 hours.”

He added: “It is despicable how anyone could think that it is acceptable to treat another person with this level of hatred over a motorcycle race.

“To the people making these comments, and, to those who like or laugh at them. You are nothing more than cowards hiding behind false profiles and names.”

It’s understood the officially appointed track inspection team inspected the course on Sunday, August 30 and that several competitors subsequently gave differing opinions as to the improvements required.

Reacting to the cancellation of next week’s event, Cllr Liam Galvin, cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District, said he was disappointed, and said that the inspection should’ve been carried out months beforehand. “It’s very wrong, and it’s very disrespectful to the people who have put in all this work,” he said.

“It’s sickening to see the hate comments directed towards the volunteers,” he added.

Cllr Galvin said “lessons can be learned” and he hopes to see the event return to Athea next year.