065 671 9021
clareecho.ie
Jun 20 2024
‘We are living in a death trap’
CHOP CHOP
Doolin locals fearful of further accidents by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
DOOLIN residents say they are “living in a death-trap” amid constant “near-misses” on the local road network. Doolin’s road network is coming under increased pressure, with the Cliffs of Moher visitor numbers scaling their way back up to pre-pandemic levels, along with those using Doolin Pier and tourism business to the Burren. Lack of investment in the road network to match this activity has been criticised by locals. “We’re living in a death-trap here,” said local farmer Pat Sweeney. Mr Sweeney assisted the recent recovery of a bus which came close to
toppling over, while he also claims people have been injured by passing busses adjacent to his land. Owner of Garrihy’s Aran View Service Station, Donie Garrihy said “We still have the worst roads in Ireland from here to Ennis and from here to Kinvara, if you go through Cooraclare it is like Beirut”. He said a new ‘cave’ which has emerged on the road is the latest Doolin tourist attraction. A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo that almost half of their regional roads allocation from the Department of Transport has been allocated to Doolin and that all roads in Doolin will be considered for inclusion in all future multi-annual Roadwork Programmes. Full Story page 12-13
l Tadhg McMahon, Knockerra NS, chops his hair for the Laura Lynn Locks of Love campaign
Photo by Tom Micks