Cars 'sliding into ditch' and Laois Gardaí attend icy roads site

Cars reportedly slid off an icy untreated Laois road into a ditch, with Gardaí called to the scene.

The incidents happened in Ballypickas near Abbeyleix, according to a local councillor.

Cllr Barry Walsh who is Cathaoirleach of Portlaoise Municipal District, described how the crashes happened, when he tabled a motion requesting salt banks, to the January meeting.

"There are a lot of ups and downs on the roads. It rained and then froze. Cars ended up sliding into the ditch. The guards were called out. 

"Farmers have said they will spread the salt with manure spreaders," he said.

His motion asked Laois County Council to provide a salt bin at Ballypickas GAA car park, for use by the community during freezing weather conditions. 

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"I acknowledge that bins have been provided in Abbeyleix, Ballyroan, Raheen and Spink," he added.

In response, area engineer Wes Wilkinson agreed to install the salt bin at the carpark. He said that the salt levels will be monitored and will be refilled as required.

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Cllr Willie Aird who had seconded the motion, said the bins are working well in other areas, and praised the "great community effort" in people spreading the salt on the roads.

Laois has some 2,500km of road network and 480km or almost 20% of it is treated by the council with salt and grit during icy weather, targeting main roads. The council has said that lack of money and trucks prevents them from doing further roads, and that many other Irish counties treat less roads than Laois.