52km oil slick leads to chaotic morning on Kerry’s roads

GARDAÍ have asked for the public’s help as the try to trace a truck driver who is thought to be responsible for a 52 kilometre oil slick that caused traffic chaos on the county’s roads last Saturday.

The oil slick – which it is thought was caused by a leak from an oil tanker – started in Abbeyfeale and eventually stretched all the way to Fossa.

Roads in Abbeyfeale, Castleisland, Farranfore, Killarney, Lawlor’s Cross and Fossa were affected with several emergency trucks called in to deal with the 52km slick by covering it with sand and special oil absorbent chemicals.

The slick caused serious problems for motorists with many skids and near misses reported in the affected area.

After the scale of the problem became apparent – at around 11.30am on Saturday morning – a national warning was issued to advise motorists of the treacherous conditions.

Gardaí are now seeking the driver, or owners, of the leaking truck responsible for creating the potentially lethal slick. Anyone who saw the vehicle or who has any information on it or its driver’s whereabouts is urged to contact Tralee Garda Station at 066-7102300.