UPDATE: Action to end 'joyriding' on eco trail in Laois housing estate
New Portlaoise nature footpath targeted by dangerous drivers
Laois County Council is planning to take action to stop joyriders accessing a recently installed nature trail in the heart of a large housing estate in Portlaoise.
The trail is being laid around the lakes in Kilminchy housing estate, which has over 700 homes off the Dublin road.
In mid February a resident alerted the Leinster Express / Laois Live to cases of joyriding, with photos showing how cars had mounted the green and driven along the partially installed track.
The council has now confirmed that they will take action to stop access.
Simon Walton is the Director of Services for Roads.
"We will make arrangements in the next couple of weeks to ensure indiscriminate car access is prevented," he said.
He explained why the new pathway is taking longer than expected to be built.
A grant was approved in 2022 and at that time the eight week job was expected to be done by the end of November 2023.
"The works have been delayed significantly arising from the very poor, wet conditions prevailing since the middle of last year," Mr Walton said.
Resident John Cowhig who first alerted the Leinster Express to the incident, said residents have no idea when barriers will be erected or the path completed.
"There has not been a repeat that I am aware of regarding this joyriding since it was highlighted.
"Regarding the 'trail' around all three lakes the information I have from Kilminchy residents is that as far as the council is concerned its finished," he said.
He added that residents are given to understand that the €30,000 funding was used up on the completed portion of the trail and more funding is needed.
A Laois Garda spokesperson had urged people to report such incidents to them as an emergency by calling 999 or 112.
"Pedestrians could be at risk," the Gardaí said.
The council will take over the management of the path once it is completed.
The 1.5m wide path costing over €35,000 is being installed by Laois County Council, mostly covered with a €30,000 grant grant won by the Kilminchy Homeowners association from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).