Speeding outside Laois cemetery puts lives at risk 

DANGEROUS speeding and a lack of public lighting on a dark road outside a Laois cemetery are putting lives at risk, according to local councillors.

The speed of traffic passing St Joseph’s Cemetery and the GAA club in Mountmellick was described as “shocking” at a council meeting.

One councillor warned that “something serious will happen” unless speed ramps and more lights are installed along the busy road in Acragar.

“I think there's no doubt to anyone that the speed of traffic on that road is shocking," Cllr Paddy Bracken told the March meeting of Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.

The Fianna Fáil councillor proposed that the council provide traffic calming measures and more public lights at Acragar, in the interest of pedestrian safety. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Ollie Clooney (Ind).

Cllr Bracken said there is constant activity and traffic going in and out of Mountmellick GAA club, which is attended by many children. The area outside St Joseph’s Cemetery is also very busy and is scarce of public lighting.

He pointed out that he did a walk along the route with a council engineer and they both realised the scarcity of lights, as “they are all infill lights really”.

Cllr Bracken commented: “There are areas with no lighting at all there and it needs to be addressed. I plead with you to try and do something. We need a couple of ramps on that road to slow down the traffic, because the speed is shocking.” 

He added that there is endless traffic in the area, as motorists are travelling the back way to Portlaoise. He said: “It needs to be looked at because something serious will happen.” 

 He was supported by district cathaoirleach Cllr Seamus McDonald, who said: “Funerals have to use this road often and it's very, very dangerous, even on the Mountmellick side of the graveyard. There needs to be a ramp there as well.” 

In response to the proposal, senior engineer Rory O'Callaghan said the council’s road design section would carry out a speed survey outside St Joseph's Cemetery and the GAA club.

He said: “The provision of traffic calming measures will be considered, pending the results of the speed survey.” Mr O’Callaghan added that staff from the council’s public lighting section would meet Cllr Bracken on site to “assess the requirements for additional lighting”.