'Madness' inviting people to explore where they could die, Laois meeting told

The Rock of Dunamase is probably the only OPW site where people are being invited to explore areas where fatal falls could occur, a councillor has claimed. 

Fine Gael Cllr PJ Kelly raised the issue when he called on the council to consider additional safety measures at The Rock of Dunamase.  

He tabled a motion asking “that Laois County Council consider installing extra safety railing around some of the more dangerous areas on the Rock of Dunamase.”

In response, Elaine Moore at Laois County Council’s Property Management section said "The Rock of Dunamase is owned by the Office of Public Works.  We will advise them of your concerns.”  

Cllr Kelly explained that he was alerted to the issue of safety at the site by primary school children.

“It was children from my local primary school who said this to my children at home,” he revealed.  

He said most adults won’t go to the more dangerous places at The Rock of Dunamase but the children will go and explore to have a look. 

“They don’t see the danger until the danger happens,” said Cllr Kelly, who complimented the children for bringing the matter to his attention. 

“I just said fair play to them,” said Cllr  Kelly. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy, welcomed the motion and applauded the children. 

“I totally agree with the children. They see what we can’t see. I support anything that is going to improve health and safety,” he said. 

“Even at the moment it is a massive tourist attraction but it is only going to get busier so safety really needs to be looked at,” he said. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming, described it as “an absolutely brilliant” motion and said he has heard similar complaints over the years.

“Children will always go to the edge and they don’t see the danger. I think it is a very good motion and I hope something can be done,” said Cllr Fleming. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins recalled bringing his own children to the site and his wife being terrified due to the sheer drops. 

“I wouldn’t say the OPW have another amenity area in the whole country where they are inviting members of the public to come and explore and view it where they’re at risk of being killed. Where there is no protection in place, where they are at risk of falling,” said Cllr Mullins. 

“It’s absolute madness, I can’t get my head around it,” he added. 

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The issue was discussed at the last meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.