Council bloc to snub minister's road visit

New Killydoon bypass set to be officially opened today

A group of Cavan councillors are set to boycott today’s official opening of the N55 Corduff to South of Killydoon road improvement scheme in protest at the Minister for Transport’s refusal to meet them over the deteriorating condition of local roads.

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien is due in Cavan this morning to officially open the N55 realignment scheme at an event in the local Community Centre.

The upgraded stretch of the N55 forms part of a wider long-running programme of improvements on the national secondary route between Cavan and Athlone. Section B involved the construction of a 3.7km realignment between Ballytrust and Mullahoran, including the bypassing of Killydoon village, the construction of three new bridges over the River Erne, new junctions, drainage works and traffic calming measures.

Works began in early 2023 and the scheme reached substantial completion in December 2024. The overall project cost an estimated €30M.

Cavan County Council has previously said the scheme will improve safety and journey times for the estimated 5,000 vehicles that use the route daily.

However, opposition councillors say the minister’s visit for the ceremonial opening rings hollow while regional and local roads across the Cavan remain in poor condition.

Aontú councillor Adrian Rogers said he will not attend the event.

“The minister is fully aware of the serious conditions of the roads in Cavan and Monaghan. Yet he still refuses to meet with councillors and address what needs to be done,” he told the Celt.

“There is always time for ribbon cutting and photo ops. But never accountability for crumbling infrastructure. So I am not going to be in a picture today at the opening of a road and so many roads in Cavan in such poor state.”

Independent Ireland councillor Shane P. O’Reilly also criticised the minister’s refusal to engage with local representatives during his visit.

“I find it very disrespectful and indeed disappointing that Minister O’Brien has no time to meet with us to discuss our concerns on roads funding and the state of our network in Co Cavan when he is in the county,” he said.

The Sinn Féin grouping on Cavan County Council - councillors Stiofán Conaty, Damien Brady and Noel Connell - also confirmed they will not attend the opening ceremony.

“Sinn Féin will not be attending the opening of an already-opened road. It is a waste of time,” the group said in a joint statement.

“The minister would be better served working constructively with Cavan Sinn Féin councillors in helping us fix our roads. Instead, he refused a meeting with us and other members of the opposition.

“In fact, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael actually cut funding for roads in Cavan for 2026.”

The Department of Transport allocated €19,165,275 to Cavan County Council for roads in 2026, marginally down from €19,193,150 in 2025.

Local representatives have argued the reduction amounts to an effective cut once inflation and rising construction costs are taken into account.

Councillors have repeatedly highlighted what they describe as a growing infrastructure crisis, with Cavan County Council estimating that up to 1,140 kilometres of local and regional roads require structural restoration and that a funding deficit of approximately €110 million exists to bring the county’s road network up to an acceptable standard.

The Sinn Féin group added: “Rather than attending pointless government photo-ops, Sinn Féin cllrs’ time is better served working for our constituents.

“We will be attending certain functions today (Friday) in our respective municipal districts, events which mean a lot to our local communities.”

Independent councillor Brendan Fay has also confirmed that he will not be attending the road opening either.

“We requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss the serious condition of roads across County Cavan, but we were informed he did not have time to meet us.

"The people of Cavan pay the same taxes as everyone else and deserve proper roads and proper engagement from Government. They deserve more than a photo opportunity — they deserve real investment and action on the condition of our roads.”