Warning to motorists over deer on the road in Laois

A councillor is urging people to slow down and watch out for deer on the roads. 

It follows reports of a deer being struck by a car near Abbeyleix this morning. 

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney said deer crossed the stretch of road on a regular basis from Moran’s Cross right into Abbeyleix. 

“There is a huge amount of them there. They are increasing every year,” he said. 

Cllr Clooney previously called for fencing along the road. He recalled striking a deer on the stretch of road a number of years ago. 

“The one that I struck, it just jumped out at the last second,” Cllr Clooney said.

He said collisions are a regular occurrence in the are. “That would be happening on a weekly basis,” he explained. He said it was dangerous and likened crashing into a stag to crashing into a bullock.   

Cllr Clooney’s advice to people was “slow down on that particular part of the road” and remain alert. 

He repeated the call he had previously made along with Cllr John Joe Fennelly for fencing to be installed along the road.