North Kerry road will look like a ‘golf course’ for the Ryder Cup, warns councillor

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry councillors have slammed the omission of funding for a key road in the county’s north, with one councillor arguing the route will look like a ‘golf course’ for next year’s Ryder Cup.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland failed to include the N69 in this year’s maintenance funding, prompting outcry from Listowel councillors at a recent meeting.

Councillor Jimmy Moloney described a section of the national secondary road near Listowel as a ‘golf course’, highlighting the town’s proximity to Adare, where the Ryder Cup which is due to take place.

He said the road was previously in the top three of the council’s priority list and questioned why Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) had decided not to award funding this year.

“Given that the funding is not here this year, we’re in a situation where the largest urban centre next to Adare in the Ryder Cup will be like driving through a golf course,” he said.

“I’m deeply frustrated about the road and the lack of respect from the TII..I would like them to come down and visit us and tell us why it didn’t get funding.”

Councillor Liam Nolan highlighted that problems with road were raised nearly 10 years ago, calling the council’s response “not good enough”.

He said there was only one short stretch that was particularly bad and argued it could be addressed with a relatively small investment.

Councillor Aoife Kennelly said the TII’s decision not to fund the road was ‘unbelievable’ and asked for a deputation with the Transport Minister.

“I just don’t understand how a so-called priority road can sit in limbo for 10 years and nothing be done about it,” she said.

“I know people are very frustrated… we’ve gone from being given vague answers to no answers at all.”

Councillor Tom Barry added that elected members were under the impression money was going to be allocated this year, calling the lack of investment a ‘disgrace’.

A Kerry County Council engineer said they were also ‘very disappointed’ with the TII’s funding allocations and assured councillors they had made a ‘strong argument’ for the agency to reconsider.

They said they were meeting with the TII later this week and hoped TII would ‘see the sense’.

Councillor Jimmy Moloney repeated his ask for a meeting directly with the TII despite expecting to be ‘fobbed off’ again.