'A miracle no one was killed'

Urgent action sought at Priest's Cross after vehicles clocked at 118km/h

Calls for immediate traffic-calming at Priest’s Cross have been unanimously backed, after a speed survey recorded vehicles travelling almost twice the 60km/h limit beside Scoil Bhríde.

At the first meeting of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District (MD) since the summer break, Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon warned the junction in Upper Magheracloone was a serious accident waiting to happen, following a collision there in July and mounting concerns about the safety of pupils, parents and staff at the nearby school.

“It’s a miracle no-one was killed in that accident,” said the Fianna Fáil councillor, insisting the council can not wait until next year to discover whether an application for Low-Cost Safety Measures funding is successful.

Figures from a speed survey requested by Cllr O’Hanlon showed 58% of vehicles approaching Priest’s Cross from Carrickmacross exceeded the speed limit.

One vehicle was recorded travelling at 118km/h, while another travelling towards Carrickmacross was clocked at 114km/h. Both were detected on the straight stretch near where Scoil Bhríde pupils are dropped off and collected by family members and school buses.

“On the report, someone was doing 118km/h going through the junction! It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident,” Cllr O’Hanlon said.

“We’re talking about a stretch of road where there could potentially be a fatality. We need to get money for it straight away.”

Seconding the motion, Peter Conlon (FG) said he had already submitted a question on the junction at Mullaghrafferty, known as Priest’s Cross, ahead of the meeting.

Describing it as a “time bomb”, he called for the survey findings to be forwarded to local gardaí and the location be prioritised for safety improvements.

Colm Carthy (SF) also urged the council to act without delay. He cited safety improvements on Oriel Road in Carrickmacross, prioritised after a young boy was knocked down a couple of years ago. Fortunately he has since made a full recovery.

Paul Gibbons (SF) questioned why such applications for safety funding are not attracting greater support.

MD Coordinator Damien Thornton confirmed additional signage and road markings had been installed following July’s collision and subsequent site inspection. The speed survey had identified speeding as a concern.

The council now intends to review the speed limit locally before pursuing funding for traffic-calming measures.

However, Mr Thornton cautioned that the cost of Low-Cost Safety and traffic-calming schemes could exceed €100,000, while the MD typically received around €30,000 in funding.

Cllr O’Hanlon rejected the suggestion that funding constraints should delay action.

“Forget about that. The speed that person was doing beside a school is only legal on a motorway. There’s no point getting stuff done when something bad happens,” he said.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Noel Keelan acknowledged that funding was difficult but agreed the school should receive priority, asking officials to investigate what further measures can be taken.

‘Unacceptable’ risk

The meeting also heard serious concerns from Scoil Bhríde principal Sharon Martin, who wrote to the council seeking urgent action at the crossroads.

Ms Martin described the situation as a significant and ongoing danger, particularly during drop-off and collection times.

“The combination of high speeds, restricted visibility, the crossroads, school buses and children moving around the area creates an unacceptable level of risk,” she wrote.

She highlighted a serious incident near the school during the Summer Provision programme, which caused considerable distress among staff and pupils. Some children with additional needs became “extremely distressed and anxious” and had to be brought indoors to help protect their wellbeing.

The principal said she regularly witnesses vehicles travelling at excessive speeds.

“As a school staff we are extremely concerned that it is only a matter of time before serious injury takes place unless appropriate measures are taken,” she warned.

Ms Martin offered to work directly with council officials and other agencies to identify practical solutions.

“The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care must be our highest priority,” she wrote. “I am therefore asking that this matter be treated as urgent and addressed proactively before a serious incident occurs.”