Confusion over insurance and 'Deer Crossing' signs

Cllr Caillian Ellis has proposed that the Council erect a ‘Deer Crossing’ sign on the road between Kesh Bog to the junction at Lemonish, Fenagh. Cllr Ellis  said a lot of people have  informed him that deer are jumping out  onto the road and said it is an  “awful problem.”

Independent councillor, Gerry Dolan interjected that erecting such a sign could mean that car insurance providers won’t pay out if a driver hits a deer and there is damage to the car. Sinn Féin councillor,  Brendan Barry said he had heard conflicting evidence of this and that some people who hit a deer were not insured and would have been better “if they hit the ditch.”  He also added it is the Minister for Health who owns Ireland’s wild deer. 

Cllr Barry said clarification is needed on the insurance coverage issue. Cllr Ellis said he was not aware of this and asked that clarification on the insurance issue be sought by the Council before erecting any signs. Darragh O’Boyle District Engineer for Ballinamore Municipal District said “we are obliged to take action, once notified.” Cllr Gerry Dolan said that fencing along forests should be higher to control the species and keep them off the roads.