TRANSPORT Minister Shane Ross has been asked to visit a notorious N25 junction which claimed the life of a local man last week.Oliver Kirwan from Kilmacthomas was killed in a collision at the junction on Tuesday last July 16th. He was travelling with his grandson who he had just collected from a summer camp at Carriganore.
Carroll’s Cross near Kilmeaden.
A man in his 20s, who was driving the other car, was airlifted to Cork University Hospital.
Mr Kirwan, who was aged in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was laid to rest on Saturday morning after Funeral Mass at All Saints Church, Newtown. Despite repeated warnings from Councillors in recent years, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has refused to act and address issues at the busy N25 junction which has been the scene of numerous near misses.
At a meeting of Waterford City & County Council last week, Cllr Declan Clune (SF) said he has now contacted Minister Shane Ross asking him to visit Carroll’s Cross.“We’re wasting our time approaching TTII as they are just brushing us off,” he said.At the meeting, Cllr Clune raised the “terrible tragedy” which had occurred and expressed his condolences, adding that the entire area was in shock. “From a Council perspective, we’ve gone and met TII twice. The feedback wasn’t wonderful,” he said. Cllr Clune said he had contacted TII the previous day and received a “boring, plain” acknowledgment.
He then contacted Minister Shane Ross and Minister John Halligan and received an email to say a visit by Minister Ross to Carroll’s Cross would be arranged.Cllr Clune called for “a concentrated effort” and said all of the Councillors representing the area should attend such a meeting to highlight the problem. “We’re wasting our time approaching TTII as they’re just brushing us off,” he said. Cllr Seanie Power (FG) agreed and read a message from Cllr John O’Leary (FF) who was absent from the meeting.
“He asked me to again request a meeting with TII – for all the good it will do,” said Cllr Power. Cathaoirleach of the District Cllr Liam Brazil (FG) said he agreed with the suggestion for a meeting with whoever can attend but said “what has happened can’t be undone.”He asked that discussion on the issue be halted out of respect for Mr Kirwan and his family. The issue of Carroll’s Cross has been discussed in great detail in recent years as numerous Councillors have expressed concerns.However, they have been informed by Council officials that TII have ultimate responsibility for the area.Meetings between Councillors and TII representatives have proved unsuccessful.