Pictured back in 2019, Paul Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer, Cavan County Council, Road Design Office, outlining the study area for the proposed Virginia Bypass route to Ballyjamesduff Municipal District councillors. From left: then Cathaoirleach, Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly; Cllr T.P. O’Reilly (FG), Paul Mulligan, SEE Road Design; Brendan Smith, Ballyjamesduff MD area manager; Cllr Craig Lovett (FF); John Wilson, Senior Engineer, Cavan County Council; Cllr Trevor Smith (FG), Cllr Winston Bennett, then Cathaoirleach, Ballyjamesduff Municipal District.PHOTO: Vera Farrelly

Push for progress updates on N3 Virginia Bypass

Seamus Enright

Published: Sat 26 Sep 2026, 4:01 PM

Frustration over delays to the long-awaited N3 Virginia Bypass has prompted a fresh demand for answers, with consultants JB Barry & Partners set to face councillors over the project’s progress towards the planning stage.

At the September monthly meeting of Cavan County Council, Fine Gael's TP O’Reilly secured a commitment that a representative from JB Barry & Partners will attend the October meeting to provide an update on the project.

The move follows growing concern among elected members over the pace of the project, with Cllr O’Reilly highlighting the “disappointment” felt by councillors after previously being informed that delivery was facing further delays.

The N3 Virginia Bypass is intended to address longstanding traffic congestion in Virginia, improve journey times and road safety, and support the town’s future economic development.

However, the project has been subject to a lengthy development process, with successive stages of design, environmental assessment and planning required before construction can begin.

Cllr O'Reilly's motion called for the consultants to provide a detailed update and the steps remaining before the project can advance to the planning phase.

The motion received cross-party support from Independent Ireland Councillor Shane P O’Reilly, Fine Gael Councillor Winston Bennett and Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Connell.

Director of Services Paddy Connaughton confirmed that the request had been noted and that a representative of JB Barry & Partners would attend the October meeting.

“They will be here,” Mr Connaughton assured councillors.

Cllr O’Reilly also secured a commitment from the council executive that elected members will receive quarterly progress updates going forward.

* This article has been published with support from the Local Democracy Scheme