‘Somebody is going to be killed’ if deer keep crossing Laois roads

Laois Joint Policing Committee was told someone will be killed unless action is taken in relation to deer crossing the roads.

Deputy Brian Stanley said deer are a particular hazard to traffic on the N77 Durrow to Abbeyleix Road, between Abbeyleix and Ballcoalla and between Ballybrittas and the Montague Hotel.   

“There have been a number of accidents. I met a man there recently, the whole front of his vehicle completely destroyed. He was in a jeep. The man was a farmer. It was a very strong vehicle,” Deputy Stanley. 

He told members of the policing committee that the outcome might have been different if the deer had hit an ordinary car. 

Deputy Stanley said fencing was needed to prevent deer getting out onto the road in these locations. 

“Somebody is going to be killed with deer crossing the road,” he said. 

Chief Superintendent John Scanlan said gardai were liaising with a landowner along the N77 but he said deer are quite difficult to control but measures had been taken. 

Three deer knocked down on section of Laois road in a single night

“There has been a significant cull in recent times,” he said.

 Deputy Stanley said the deer pose “a risk to life” particularly along roads with a 100 kilometre speed limit.