Urgent safety works needed at accident blackspot on busy Limerick road

LIMERICK City and County Council has been told money needs to be found to carry out urgent safety works at an accident blackspot where a woman was killed earlier this year.

In addition to the fatal incident in August, there have been up to 10 collisions at Uregare Cross, between Kilmallock and Bruff, in recent years including one, recently, which resulted in a wall being partially knocked.

“There is an issue with skidding and vehicles leaving the roadway,” said Senior Executive Engineer, Darragh Corcoran after concerns were raised at the October meeting of Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

Mr Corcoran made his comments after the spate of accidents were highlighted by Cllr PJ Carey who sought an update as to what is being done to improve safety at the busy junction.

Cllr Carey previously raised the issue at a meeting in November 2025, describing an “alarming and unexplained pattern” of collisions emerging at the rural junction.

At that same meeting Senior Executive Engineer, Trevor McKechnie acknowledged how “ it’s very strange and a bit infamous at this stage,” adding “ You might expect one or two over a long period, but five in such a short space of time is unusual”.

“It could be a greasy surface, it could be speed, but the pattern of it is odd. It may be a coincidence, but it definitely warrants investigation,” he noted.

At the most-recent meeting, Cllr Greg Conway also raised his concerns about Uregare Cross and he noted how drivers have described how “aquaplaning” is also an issue when there is heavy rainfall.

Echoing the concerns of his colleagues, cathaoirleach of the district, Cllr Tommy O’Sullivan said: “We need to find the money.”

Noting the accident history at Uregare Cross, Mr McKechnie said it is a big problem and and that something has to be done. “We recognise there is an issue and work will done,” he said.

Mr Corcoran explained how a range of safety measures have been already been carried out. Permanent signage advising motorist of slippery road conditions has been erected along with solar-powered driver feedback signs.

Additional grit has been laid to “improve the texture” of the existing road surface and plans are being drawn up to install a new anti-skid surface early next summer once weather conditions allow.

Mr Corcoran said this additional safety feature will add extra grip to the road in the cold and wet weather.

When asked by councillors about a time-frame for the anti-skid surfacing, Mr Corcoran informed those present that it would be “summer” next year as “at the current time of year it (anti-skid) does not adhere to the surface”.

Mr Corcoran described the proposed safety installation as a “low-cost safety measure” and noted how a “preliminary design” has been looked at.

Cllr Brigid Teefy said local residents are “very concerned” about the recent spate of incidents. “Several walls have been knocked and there are big concerns there. The sooner something can be done, the better.”

The monthly meeting also heard signage indicating the area of a designated speed safety zone is in place and that An Garda Siochana are to be asked to ensure a GoSafe speed van is deployed close to the junction.