Hospitalisations after two accidents at 'blind' junction in Laois town

Vehicle occupants were hospitalised after two recent accidents at Tirhoger Cross, Portarlington.

Cllr Vivienne Phelan highlighted the accidents at the October meeting of Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District, suggesting that the junction presents a particular hazard for drivers unfamiliar with the area.

“There’s quite a few old people living on that road, and I think what’s happening is that different carers are coming in at different times and mightn’t be familiar with the area,” Cllr Phelan said. “And they’re just driving straight across the road not knowing that it’s actually quite a busy junction.”

In the aftermath of the accidents, Laois County Council refreshed the line markings at Tirhoger Cross and installed an advance warning sign.

“Residents are happy to see that the line markings have already been refreshed,” Cllr Phelan said. “If there is anything else that could be done with it, that would be great.

“There’s quite speedy traffic coming out from Portarlington on that route. It’s kind of a straight stretch, so it is quite a dangerous junction.”

Cllr Aidan Mullins concurred that additional road safety measures may be necessary, noting that emergency services were called after both accidents and a number of the vehicles’ occupants were hospitalised.

He said that “due to the nature of the previous accidents, where there were serious injuries, it’s essential that we do have a look to see if additional safety measures can be put in. Because, unless you’re familiar with that junction, it is blind, and you can see how the accidents occur when people may not be that familiar with it.”