Road obstruction at Luke’s Bridge needs to be addressed

Councillor Donal Gilroy has asked that a letter be sent to An Garda Síochána asking them to prevent the obstruction of a public road at Luke’s Bridge.

The Fianna Fáil councillor raised the issue of the obstruction citing his worry that tourists visiting the area to climb Benbulben could be leaving the area when faced with the obstruction on the road.

Director of Services Tom Kilfeather told the meeting the council was aware there was an issue with obstructions being put in place.

“I know the obstruction gets removed and I know it gets reinstated. The reality is it’s an offence to put an obstruction up on a public road and it’s the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to enforce this.” Responding to a request from Cllr Gilroy for a measure to be put in place by the local authority, Mr Kilfeather said they council receives numerous requests across the county.

“We have numerous requests across the county about putting cattle grids in places and it’s not a space we are particularly interested in getting into.”

Cllr Gilroy said he fully accepted it was out of the council’s hands and said he has had to move the obstruction several times himself.

“There was a previous case where persons unknown put two dogs tied to barrels either side of the road where they’d meet in the middle to stop sheep coming down onto the road, totally unacceptable,” said Gilroy, adding that the area had become increasingly popular.

“It is a unique spot because Luke’s Bridge is probably the safest starting point to start and ascent of Benbulben...Tourists come to that fence on the road and they turn and they might leave the area and go to Slieve League.

Mr Kilfeather stated the law was that a person cannot obstruct a public road and it was under the remit of gardaí and no the council.