Laois runners call for removal of 'lethal' vent stack on busy pedestrian route

Runners in Laois have raised serious concerns regarding a "lethal" defunct vent stack on a popular running and walking route in Portlaoise.

Councillor Tommy Mulligan told Laois County Council that multiple runners in the area reached out to him about what he thought was an old lamp post but in actual fact a vent stack on the footpath between St Fintan's Hospital and Portlaoise Prison.

At the December meeting of the Portlaoise MD, Cllr Mulligan requested that the council remove the vent stack as it is a safety hazard.

The Independent councillor said he was unaware of the issue until he received phone calls from people who almost ran into the vent stack while out running.

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Cllr Mulligan emphasised: "It's lethal, you wouldn't see it. It's been cut back to 4 or 5 feet high. It has a dark, rusty exterior so it's difficult to see, especially when it's dark."

Cllr Mulligan said the unused vent stack poses a danger during the day for runners, joggers, children on bikes and pedestrians. However, the problem is even worse at night time due to a lack of visibility. 

He told the council: "At night time it's extremely dangerous. It's a very popular road for runners and groups of runners running the block on that footpath."

Laois County Council's Water Services said the matter has been referred to Uisce Éireann and they have been requested to remove the vent stack in question.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme