Cameras to be installed on notorious Swinford bypass

THE county’s coroner has praised action being taken by Mayo County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to tackle a notorious stretch of the Swinford bypass by installing speed cameras.

Patrick O’Connor, Coroner for the District of Mayo, described the move to improve safety on the 6.4km-long accident black spot, where numerous fatal road traffic collisions have occurred, as being ‘significant’.

Mr O’Connor, who was speaking in Swinford Coroners Court yesterday (Monday), stated that he hopes similar action is taken on the N17 and on the N26 at the Callow area of the N26 Swinford to Foxford road.

He described the latter, during the inquests into recent tragic deaths of Aisling Moore and her daughter, Abbigael, as ‘not fit for modern traffic’.

Letter from council

The coroner said he was pleased to hear of Mayo County Council’s plans for the Swinford bypass, and he quoted from a letter he had received from the council about the matter:

“In 2020 the council, in conjunction with TII, commissioned a Junction Safety Assessment Report, of the Swinford bypass which assessed the safety of the 13 or so junctions along this particular stretch of road.

“The report made a number of short-term, medium-term and long-term recommendations,” the letter stated.

“One of the recommendations proposed was the provision of a right turn facility on the N5/R320 junction. The council prioritised this intervention.

“However, as it required the closure of the Bog Road, this proposal was unacceptable to the elected members, and as a result the proposal was abandoned.”

Mayo County Council stated they are currently proposing an alternative intervention at this junction, which is funded by TII but will have to progress through the statutory procedures.

“In conjunction with this, the council is advancing the installation of average speed cameras over a 6.4km stretch of this road which will be put in place during 2024.

“Finally, the council plans to procure consultants during 2024 to provide the necessary technical and environmental advice to develop a strategy for safety intervention along the Swinford Bypass,” the letter concluded.

Mother and daughter’s inquests

Meanwhile, during the inquests into the tragic deaths of a mother and daughter, the coroner described a section of the N26 road between Foxford and Swinford as ‘not fit for modern traffic’.

Aisling Moore, aged 46, and her eight year-old daughter Abbigael Moore-Tournié, both of 11 Cois Coille, Kilkelly Road, Swinford, died tragically in a road traffic collision when a truck collided with their car at Callow on July 2 last.

Patrick O’Connor made his comments at the opening of an inquest into their deaths.

The short hearing was attended by Eamon Moore, the father of Aisling and grandfather of Abbigael, and and Aisling’s sister, Anita. Mr O’Connor said he was aware they shared his concerns about the area.

“The local authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will have to do something about the stretch of road,” he added.

Pathologist Dr Tamas Nemeth gave evidence that the medical cause of death in Aisling’s case was extensive fatal injuries, including head injuries, while Abbigael’s death occurred due to extensive head injuries sustained in the collision.

Mr O’Connor told the family it would take several months before the full Garda investigation is completed.

The inquest, which was opened so that death certificates could be obtained, was subsequently adjourned until after this process has been finalised.

Mr O’Connor sympathised with the Moore family on their terrible loss, and he thanked Gardaí, first responders and civilians who attended to what he described as a traumatic scene.

Courts presenter Sgt Conor Drury also expressed his condolences on behalf An Garda Síochána and praised the response by all of those who offered their assistance.

Speed cameras

It was announced last May that average speed cameras would be rolled out on the N5 on the Swinford bypass, on the N3 at Butler’s Bridge, Co Cavan and the N2 at Slane, Co Meath.

The average speed cameras are expected to be operational early in the fourth quarter of this year and are being placed in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, Mayo is one of nine counties that will benefit from a €2.5 million investment in static speed cameras nationwide, along with Counties Galway, Waterford, Wicklow, Donegal, Carlow, Cork and Limerick.