Notorious Laois junction still ‘seriously dangerous’ years after crash death
The notorious junction at Moneyquid, Killeigh, on the busy N80 route between Portlaoise and Tullamore. File image
A NOTORIOUS junction where a driver died is still awaiting road safety measures, more than 15 years after the tragedy.
The fatal accident black spot at Moneyquid near Killeigh, on the busy N80 route between Portlaoise and Tullamore, is still described as “seriously dangerous” despite repeated appeals for roadworks.
Cllr Seamus McDonald made yet another appeal at the September meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, when he asked county council officials to make contact with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to make the junction safe. Because it is on a national route, TII is the agency responsible for upgrades.
Cllr McDonald described Moneyquid as “a seriously dangerous area”, where one man sadly lost his life and there were further crashes in recent years.
The Fianna Fáil councillor from Rosenallis said: “It is a speedway out there and something will have to be done as quickly as possible.” Cllr McDonald made similar appeals at council meetings in December 2019 and in June last year, when he said that ‘rapid action’ must be taken at the dangerous junction near the Laois-Offaly border. Each time, he was told that the issue had been raised with TII.
In response to the latest appeal, senior engineer James Dowling said the council’s road design department previously raised the Moneyquid issue with TII and would do so again at the next road safety meeting, which was due to be held within a couple of weeks.
Mr Dowling said that TII budgets have been “massively reduced” this year, but the council would stress the urgency of the Moneyquid junction.
Independent cllr James Kelly told cllr McDonald: “You may get on to your local TD!” The fatal crash at Moneyquid happened in March 2009, when a man in his 40s died in a two-vehicle collision.
Cllr McDonald also asked for an update on progress regarding repairs to the bridge at Rearyvalley on the River Barrow, where he said safety is a major concern as cracks in the bridge are deepening.
Mr Dowling replied that Laois County Council’s area office has finalised the design and is awaiting funding, before the bridge project can go out to tender. Dissatisfied with the response, cllr McDonald said the problem at Rearyvalley was ongoing for the past ten or 15 years and residents were becoming increasingly concerned.
He said: “Residents are getting more frightened all the time, as the cracks in the bridge are deepening and it needs to be done as soon as possible.” Cllr McDonald also asked for traffic-calming measures at the Deadman’s Inn, Ballyfin. Mr Dowling replied that municipal district staff would meet the councillor on site to discuss traffic-calming measures.
