Mayo councillors renew appeal for safety measures at fatal N17 junction

A Mayo family and local councillors have appealed for urgent safety measures to be implemented in the wake of a fatal collision on the N17.

The appeal relates to a two-car collision that claimed the life of 84-year-old Kathleen Forkan of Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, on September 24, 2022.

As Kathleen's daughter, Dympna Murphy indicated to turn right onto the R322 Kiltimagh Road, her car, in which Ms Forkan was a front-seat passenger, was rear-ended.

Ms Murphy, in an inquest into the cause of the collision, noted that there was no filter lane for drivers to turn right onto the Kiltimagh Road.

Doctor Eleanor Fitzgerald subsequently recommended the inclusion of a filter lane at the junction.

The collision was brought to the floor by Councillor Adrian Forkan at a meeting yesterday of Mayo County Council in Áras an Chontae, Castlebar.

"Kathleen was a neighbour of my own at home, and the family had asked me to highlight what happened," Cllr Forkan stated.

The Fianna Fáil councillor outlined obstacles to the proposed alterations to the junction, including the War of Independence monument located adjacent to the turn-off, which could potentially inhibit widening of the N17.

However, the work was still imperative, per Cllr Forkan.

"We can't just say nothing can be done," he said.

Cllr Gerry Murray, of Sinn Féin, moved to offer a similar sentiment.

"I know there will be a consensus to move the monument, if it meant accommodating that serious road safety issue. That could be negotiated, obviously, at a cost."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.