Residents of Laois village demand repair works on 'dangerous' footpaths

Residents and local councillors have raised serious concerns regarding "dangerous" footpaths in a busy Laois village.

Councillor Conor Bergin has requested that Laois County Council prioritise repair works for the existing footpaths in Borris-in-Ossory as part of the Programme of Works for 2026 and to install a second pedestrian crossing in the village.

Addressing the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD, Cllr Bergin said many people in the village have contacted him in relation to a particular section of the footpath which stretches from the former Leix County Hotel to Sheeran's.

He said that people have expressed their frustrations with the fact that there has been recent road works in the village along the main street but this footpath has been neglected.

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Cllr Bergin described the path as being "in a brutal state." He added that cobblelock is in pieces and "needs to be completely torn out as it has subsided the footpath."

The Fine Gael councillor remarked that 26 new houses in the Deanswood housing estate were built just last year and with a greater population in the area using the footpath on a daily basis to go to school and the local shops, these works are seriously needed.

Cllr Bergin said: "It is a risk, a hazard not just from a council point of view but from a safety point of view." 

Laois County Council said the Area Office and elected members will agree on an Annual Footpath Works Programme in early 2026.

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