No ‘big breaking news’ of ‘bodies’ following survey in Laois

Safety measures are needed at a “dangerous” junction in Stradbally, a council meeting was told. 

The meeting was told a “dead dog” or something similar had been uncovered during a survey in the area.

Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan asked for road safety work in a motion at the October meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. 

She asked “that this Council complete appropriate road safety measures at the junction of N80 and L78356 outside Stradbally.”

She explained that the dangerous junction was located as motorists approached Stradbally from the back of the graveyard. 

“It is very dangerous there to get out onto the main road,” she explained. 

She said there had been various solutions proposed over the years including the removal of the bank on the left hand side as cars are exiting. She said the landowner is open to the idea. 

“There was another near miss there the other day with a big huge tractor and trailer coming down the hill,” Cllr Phelan revealed. 

Fianna Fail  Cllr Paschal McEvoy seconded the motion. He said the Church of Ireland own the field and “they are prepared to give a piece of that corner” approaching the road. 

“This geophysical survey, I think they found a dead dog or something and it held the whole thing up for years. Crazy what goes on, ” he said. 

Cllr McEvoy said the survey had been completed. “You won’t get any big breaking news that there was bodies or anything,” he said. 

“I think it was Brian Boru’s dog,” said Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins. 

In a written response to the motion, Senior Executive Engineer, Road Design Office, James Dowling said: “A geophysical survey has been undertaken to inform the archaeological constraints at the location. A feasibility and options report is now required to be prepared for submission to TII(Transport Infrastructure Ireland).”