Heartbroken families want action on tragic Laois road

HEARTBROKEN families are again appealing for road safety works at a notorious black spot in Laois, where five people lost their lives.

Almost ten years since three young people died in a horrific crash at Middlemount, near Rathdowney, improvements have still not been carried out.

Next July will mark the 10th anniversary of a shocking collision that claimed the lives of mother-of-one Angela Kelly (35), Orla Curry (20) and Martin Brophy (20), all from Rathdowney. A 16-year-old boy miraculously survived the single-car crash in the early hours of 12 July 2015.

The treacherous stretch of road, between Rathdowney and Abbeyleix, also saw the tragic deaths of Kevin Bergin (18) on Christmas Day 2008 and Paddy White (35) in April 2009.

Local councillors have repeatedly called for major roadworks but little has been done, apart from a minor road safety scheme in 2020 involving signage, access and speed limit reductions.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Cllr John King told a council meeting last week: “We can't keep bringing this up month after month, year after year. I don't want to see the loss of more lives. I have been contacted by family members to see why the work hasn't been done.” 

At the April meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, Cllr King asked for an update ‘on any progress on making the regional road at Donaghmore and Middlemount safer, in view of the five fatalities in recent years’.

A council response said that staff from the road design section would meet the councillor on site and review the location. The response added: ‘Proposed safety measures will be assessed.’ 

Cllr King said he previously thought that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) had responsibility for any road safety measures at the site but he was now aware that it was under the remit of Laois County Council.

He said: “Even though the Middlemount road is quite narrow and there are hills and hollows, everyone is aware of the danger of it.” 

 He was supported by Cllr James Kelly, who said it was a very emotive issue and must be resolved.

In relation to the Donaghmore road, Cllr King said he had spoken to the owner of a field and it might be possible to acquire a bit of the embankment to make the road wider and safer.

Cllr Kelly agreed, pointing out that he recently had a dangerous experience when he met a truck on the way into the village.

Cllr Kelly said: “We don't want to take all of the field off the landowner, just a small few yards would make a huge difference. There are stones falling out from the embankment and they will cause an accident.”