Kildare County Council says it has no immediate plans to re-introduce two replica garda car cut-outs as a deterrent.

They were placed on Kildare roads some years ago.

But the council says despite speculation "on social media" which suggests the it is planning to return them ahead of the bank holiday weekend, it has no plans to do so.

Kildare Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh says no discussions have been held between the county council and the gardaí about the cut-out cars so far.

"We can't simply just place these cars back onto the road without prior discussions and agreement with the gardaí.

"There have been no discussions between Kildare County Council and the gardaí, either locally or at the Traffic Bureau in Dublin Castle about any plans to reintroduce the garda car cut-outs".

A replica garda car cut-out | Image: Kildare County Council

The cut-out cars were first introduced in 2009 on the old N78 road at Fontstown, outside Athy.

The aim was to slow down drivers to reduce collisions and help save lives on the roads.

Mr Keogh says if they are to be re-invented, it will more than likely be done as part of a much wider campaign.

"At the time it was a novel idea and one which we received great reaction from.

"But if they are to be re-invented, it may be part of a much wider campaign, under #CutOutSpeeding involving other local authorities and perhaps other garda divisions in the eastern region, but as of yet, there are no plans for that to happen.

"So for the moment, drivers should treat every garda car as the real thing".