Footpaths are 'brutal' in Laois village
The dangerous stretch of footpath on Main Street was described as 'brutal' at a council meeting. File image
DANGEROUS footpaths in a Laois village were described as “brutal” and “a joke” at a council meeting.
Worried residents have complained about the state of footpaths in Borris-in-Ossory, where cobble lock is falling apart and poses a serious hazard.
Cllr Conor Bergin highlighted the issue as he appealed for urgent footpath repairs, particularly on a section of Main Street between the former Leix County Hotel and Sheeran’s.
“Footpaths need to be done all over town but this one in particular is a priority, as it is a hazard,” he told the latest meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District (MD).
Cllr Bergin said he was contacted by many people regarding a particular section of footpath on Main Street stretching from Sheeran’s to the former hotel, which is now a private residence.
He said residents were particularly frustrated by the fact that recent road works, which were carried out along Main Street, did not include the dangerous stretch of footpath.
He said: “The path is in a brutal state. The cobble lock is in pieces and needs to be completely torn out, as the footpath has subsided. It is dangerous.”
Cllr James Kelly agreed and said: “I walked along that footpath the other day and it’s a joke.”
Cllr Bergin, who is district chairperson, proposed that Laois Co Council prioritise repair works for the existing footpaths, as part of its 2026 programme of works. He also asked for a second pedestrian crossing to be installed in the village, due to a growing population.
The Fine Gael councillor pointed out that the population of Borris-in-Ossory has increased considerably within the past couple of years, with 26 new houses built in the Deanswood housing estate.
He said that, with more and more adults and children using the path on a daily basis to walk to school and the shops, the repairs were seriously needed.
Cllr Bergin said: “It is a risk, a hazard, not just from a council point of view but from a safety point of view.”
In a written response to the proposal, a council official said the area office and elected members would agree the annual footpath works programme early in 2026.
The official added: ‘All works will be subject to available budget.’
