Portlaoise action group ’deeply concerned’ over speed limit decision

A Portlaoise action group established after two children died in estates in Portlaoise expressed disappointment that urban speed limits won’t be automatically lowered to 30kph by government.   

The Department of Transport has confirmed that there will be no blanket introduction of 30km urban speed zones. 

Changes from 50kph to 30kph were initially expected to be introduced from this summer in a move similar to the default reduction of rural local road limits which dropped from 80kph to 60kph nationally on February 7, 2025.  

However, the Department of Transport now says the second phase of  their planned speed limit reductions will be carried out with individual local authorities introducing bye-laws. This will mean there will be public consultation on planned changes in each proposed area in Laois.

“It is intended that this speed limit change will be introduced by way of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’, rather than a change in the ‘default speed limit’,” a Department spokesperson explained.  

“Accordingly, in respect of those roads in urban areas where local authorities propose to change existing speed limits to 30km/h, it will be necessary for each local authority to undertake a statutory public consultation process and consider representations, in accordance with the requirements of the ‘Road Traffic Act 2004’, as amended. As the making of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’ is a reserved function, the speed limits on roads in urban areas will only be changed where a majority of the elected members vote to do so,” the spokesperson said.

Sadly, two young children lost their lives in Portlaoise estates between August 2023 and March 2025. Tragically, 3 year-old Rosaleen McDonagh was struck by a car in Fairgreen, Portlaoise on August 30, 2023 and 5-year-old Aaron Hussain died in a collision with a car at Kilminchy, Portlaoise on February 22, 2025.  

Their deaths prompted a group called Portlaoise Parents for Safer Streets to begin a campaign and start a petition which has secured over 500 signatures.    

“We at Portlaoise Parents for Safer Streets are deeply concerned to learn that the proposed 30kph urban speed limits will not be rolled out automatically but will instead require Local Authority Bye-Laws, public consultation, and individual area approvals. This delay is particularly worrying for families living in Portlaoise housing estates, where the need for safer streets is urgent and growing,” the group’s  Kate Reardon-Noblet said. 

“Our campaign was launched in response to serious road safety risks in residential estates like Kilminchy, Fairgreen, Esker Hills, Maryborough, and Bellingham — areas that were never designed to cope with the current levels of traffic. With obstructed footpaths, narrow roads, reckless speeding, illegal parking, and a complete lack of crossings or signage, our children are being forced into unsafe situations on a daily basis.

Within just 18 months, both Rosie McDonagh and Aaron Hussain tragically lost their lives in Portlaoise housing estates. That is the devastating reality that underlines the urgency of this issue. We cannot wait for another preventable tragedy before real action is taken.

While a 30kph speed limit is part of the broader solution, it is only one of several urgent measures we are calling for,” she said.  

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Ms Readon-Noblet said the campaign is demanding: Double yellow lines to stop dangerous parking on footpaths and blind bends,  bollards at key locations to protect pedestrians, additional speed ramps near estate entrances and green spaces,  proper traffic signage, including speed limits and “Children at Play” warnings.  They also want designated pedestrian crossings, especially raised zebra crossings and regular enforcement of speeding and parking violations. 

And most critically, Ms Reardon-Noblet said,  a comprehensive traffic management plan developed in partnership with Laois County Council. 

“We welcome the opportunity for public consultation — but it must be timely, transparent, and met with immediate interim measures in high-risk zones. The safety of our children is not something that can be deferred, deprioritised, or politicised.

Portlaoise families are calling for leadership and swift, meaningful action to make our estates safe. We hope Laois County Council will take this opportunity to lead by example and act before more lives are lost,” she stated. 

The Department of Transport said “to assist local authorities with the process of setting ‘special speed limits’ in urban areas and the attendant bye-laws procedures, a working group is presently revising the ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’.” 

They expect to issue those guidelines to local authorities in the third quarter of 2025. 

Director of Services at Laois County Council, Simon Walton said: “Those Guidelines are awaited. Once to hand, Local Authorities will apply the Guidelines and, to give legal effect to new speed limits, existing bye-laws will be put out for consultation.”

“In terms of changes, it is likely that many new 30kph speed limit zones in urban centres will emerge and that there may be associated dropdowns to current speed limits on the approaches to urban centres. However, all of the above is somewhat unclear until the Guidelines are provided, proposed new speed limits published and locals have had a chance to express views on the changes proposed.”

The planned speed reductions are part of the government’s road safety strategy 2021 - 2030 called ‘Our Journey Towards Vision Zero’ which was published by the Road Safety Authority(RSA). It aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads to half by 2030 and to zero by 2050. 

The changes to speed limits are to be introduced in three phases. The first phase was completed in February when local roads were reduced from 80kph to 60kph, Phase 2 was to be the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in built-up and urban areas and Phase 3 would see national routes lowered from 100kph to 80kph.