Mayo family's appeal to resolve safety at N17 junction

AN appeal has again been issued to the authorities to make an accident black spot junction on the N17 safe.

It relates to the turn-off for Kiltimagh, outside Kilkelly, where an 84-year-old woman lost her life in 2022 when the vehicle in which she was a passenger was rear-ended while waiting to turn right.

The family of the late Kathleen Forkan, from Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, brought their appeal for action to resolve safety at the location to the attention of Mayo County Council through local Councillor Adrian Forkan, a family friend and neighbour.

Speaking at yesterday's meeting of the council, Councillor Forkan said a lot of work has gone into planning upgrades at the N17 junctions from Shanvaghera to Claremorris. However, the junction for Kiltimagh also needs to be looked at, he said, with a stacking lane, for example.

There are obstacles, like the nearby monument, which commemorates local volunteers killed in the War of Independence, Councillor Forkan noted. But he told management that they cannot just say that nothing can be done.

His call for action was supported by Councillors Gerry Murray, John Caulfield and Neil Cruise.

And Councillor Murray had some positive news: There is a consensus to move the monument if needed to make it safer.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme