Calls for immediate action amid ‘imminent danger of tragic accident’ on busy Clare road

Members of Clare County Council have called for immediate action amid "ongoing collisions" as well as the "imminent danger of tragic accident" along a busy commuter road on the outskirts of Ennis.

Concerns were raised over road safety along the N68 in Darragh with three separate motions being brought before the November meeting of Clare County Council in relation to this stretch of road.

Fine Gael councillor Gabriel Keating called for the council to meet with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to introduce traffic calming measures outside a "busy commercial premises" on the N68 at Darragh to "avoid the imminent danger of tragic accident."

READ MORE: ‘Make our towns cool and sexy’: Calls intensify for action on underused Clare properties

Cllr Keating told members how, following a recent road accident, he and two other councillors attended a public meeting with 41 concerned residents regarding the road dangers in this area.

He outlined the three key requests to the council from those in attendance.

The first was calls for a speed survey to be carried out in the area to "make sure that the TII people understand the volume of traffic from six in the morning until six in the evening" which Cllr Keating described as "unbelievable."

The second request was for "some kind of temporary signage in the interim" and the final request was "a speed limit reduction" with Cllr Keating explaining: "I understand it may come down to 80 [kph] in 2026. I say may because with the TII you're depending on them really."

He also spoke of a petition, which has been signed by almost 1,200 people, that will be sent to the council in regards to the requests and a five person committee, which was elected at the meeting to represent the area in future engagements. 

On engagement with the TII, Cllr Keating questioned: "I'm beginning to wonder do the TII listen or what's happening? I know that if it was a regional road or local road we could handle it locally but with the TII there are so many rules and regulations. They move very slowly."

"This is going on really since 2019 and I do be hoping that now that we have got together and what we think is the right people looking after it for us that something will happen in the near future."

Fianna Fáil councillor Tom O'Callaghan supported the motion, stating: "On that particular stretch of road people tend to speed up and now that we thankfully have a really thriving business there as well, it has made that area one to be a lot more cautious of."

Cllr O'Callaghan welcomed the expected speed limit reductions but expressed his belief that this would not be sufficient on it's own, that the government must figure out "how do we reduce people and make them actually liable for their speed." 

He stated that if the council can encourage the government "to look at, with all the technology that we have, is there some way of a camera system where we can actually pinpoint the number plate and people get fined."

Cllr O'Callaghan emphasised to all in the chamber that "one accident is too many" and he fully supports the motions to improve the road's safety.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Shannon, who also attended the public meeting, expressed concerns over road safety on the N68 in Darragh, proposing a motion calling on the council for "an update on the introduction of the default speed limit of  80kph on our national secondary road network and also request the introduction of speed reduction measures and safety improvement works on the N68 at Darragh considering ongoing collisions at this location."

He explained how the local community in Darragh are "extremely, extremely worried about the condition of the road and the current conditions of the speed that is happening in the area."

Cllr Shannon, like Cllr Keating, questioned the work of the TII, stating: "I just question that the TII are responsible for our national secondary route network in the county but they also have a responsibility to the community."

"Every year there has been up to this current day issues recorded in this particular area. The TII have a responsibility to  local communities and this particular area should be included as an area of interest within the council remit to the TII."

He outlined how all within the council know the dangers of the road and it's history of collisions, expressing how the area can be seen as a "blackspot."

Cllr Shannon acknowledged the need for structural changes to the road as well as a shift to the environment of the road around the commercial premises. He also noted that, as there is an increasing population in the area, they must begin "dealing with issues as they change and evolve."

He also told of a family he knows seeking planning permission along the road in Darragh and how the TII "are the very first to put in an objection" branding it as "a lot of negativity coming back from the TII" despite the fact "they should have a responsibility to acknowledge the communities concerns and improve the road network in these particular areas."

Cllr Shannon finished by emphasising to the chamber "we are about saving lives" in reference to the multiple road safety motions heard across the meeting, with Cllrs Ian Lynch and Joe Killeen seconding the motion.

Senior Engineer, Cyril Feeney responded in writing, explaining that: "The required legislative change to reduce speed limits on the National Secondary road network is included in the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025."

"It was initially envisaged that this would be enacted towards the end of this year, but from discussions with the Department of Transport our current understanding is that it will likely be enacted until early 2026 subject to Government priorities."

The final motion of the day on the N68 in Darragh was a joint motion from councillors Rita McInerney, Ian Lynch and Dinny Gould.

The councillors called on Clare County Council to formally identify Darragh village and the surrounding section of the N68 at McNamee’s Cross and the adjoining double junction as an area of interest for public road safety, in line with local authority and TII guidelines. 

Though she welcomes confirmation of talks with TII, Cllr McInerney told the chamber how the road poses "serious risks for road users and pedestrians due to the side roads adjacent that there is a lot of houses on."

She outlined how it is also important to ensure that Darragh is included in the upcoming Road Safety and Speed Limit Review in 2026 and is prioritised for the development of appropriate safety interventions.

The councillors called for direct engagement with TII to progress the development and funding of safety improvement works on this section of the N68 as well as an interim safety response, including temporary electronic signage or other short-term safety measures to mitigate ongoing risk to residents, road users and pedestrians; pending the full review and implementation of long-term works.

Cllr McInerney emphasised: "We ultimately need a co-ordinated proactive approach between TII and Clare County Council."

Councillor Ian Lynch credited Cllr Keating for being proactive in looking for a solution and stated that there is "a lot we can't do but there is a solution we can find", he called to explore the reintroduction of the Garda Go Safe van, the installation of additional road signage and the removal of a grass margin as requested by locals.

He also highlighted how local residents have taken personal initiatives to improve road safety, including demolishing an old building to enhance visibility.

Cllr Dinny Gould proposed the installation of bollards in front of the Kilrush side of the petrol station to prevent lorries and artic trucks from pulling in and obstructing visibility when pulling out onto the road as well as the installation of lit signs on both sides, saying 'dangerous junction ahead.'

Councillors Tommy Guilfoyle, Joe Killeen, Pat Daly, Pat Hayes and Mary Howard all voiced their support for the three motions recognising that Darragh is "a huge area of concern" where "temporary measures will have to be put in place."

Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer, explained that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is responsible for collision analysis and safety on the N68 at Darragh.

He reiterated that the upcoming National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025 will set a default speed limit of 80 kmh on the national secondary road network, including the N68, likely by 2026, however "any further reductions in speed limits at any location will be subject to the relevant setting of speed limit guidelines and TII approval."

"The introduction of the proposed new default speed limits on the national secondary network will not include any traffic calming or pedestrian measures."

"Any further speed limit changes or safety measures, like traffic calming, will require TII approval and a separate process. Discussions are ongoing with TII about potential safety improvements at Darragh."

Cllr Hayes made the poignant message to the chamber: "If we don't find a solution we will have more fatalities and more injuries."

"But ultimately it's the day to day living of ordinary people, they are struggling to go in and go out of their businesses [and homes] and put their lives at risk."

Mr Feeney confirmed that the council is in discussion with TII regarding safety improvement works on the N68 at Darragh, including possible interim measures.