Over 900 claims against councils in last five years

Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike are bearing the brunt of increasingly treacherous roads, as new data obtained by The Anglo-Celt reveals a dramatic spike in public liability claims against local councils. Over 900 public liability claims were logged across both counties over a five-year period with the bill running to millions.

Potholes, according to a spokesperson for Monaghan County Council, are the leading cause of claims. From 2021 to 2025, the local authority received a staggering 429 claims, with a spike of 122 claims in 2024 alone.

According to reports, the number of claims settled against the local authority in 2023 alone cost over €610,000. In a previous period (2017 to mid-2022), the authority paid out over €943,000 for 42 claims related to trips and falls, including issues with potholes.

“The increase in claims has not impacted the council’s budget and delivery of public services. However, the current condition of our road network and the insufficient funding allocation is having a significant impact,” said an MCC spokesperson.

The council has responded by implementing a customer request system to record and track any issues raised, ensuring that reported hazards are addressed promptly. The spokesperson added: “We continuously work to ensure we meet the highest standards of customer service and strive to deliver high quality projects which are designed, constructed, and checked by qualified personnel.”

Cavan County Council has faced a similar pattern over the last five years, with a total of 474 claims made against the local authority.

The number of claims in Cavan jumped from 68 in 2022 to 120 in 2023, a staggering 76% surge, before plateauing at 118 in 2024 and falling back to 84 in 2025.

The council settled its 2023 claims' bill to the tune of more than €570,000. Previous reports indicated that personal injury claims, including those involving damaged footpaths, resulted in settlements reaching roughly €2M over a multi-year period.

“Public safety is at the forefront of Cavan County Council's efforts. The local authority will continue its ongoing endeavours to provide safe, high-quality public realm and transport infrastructure by allocating the resources available as efficiently and effectively as possible,” a spokesperson said.

Cavan, like Monaghan, insist that insurance covers the cost of claims, though both have separately in recent months acknowledged the long-term challenge of dealing with road degradation.

MCC is urging the public to report hazards promptly, a spokesperson noting: “These claims are an opportunity for intervention, ensuring hazards are resolved at the earliest opportunity possible.”