Slane residents to make Dáil presentation on village safety

Slane residents are to take their case for a bypass of the village to the Dáil today (Wednesday). Fine Gael Spokesman on Road Safety, Shane McEntee, has welcomed the presentation before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport. 'I am delighted that this group from Slane has been given the opportunity to make a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport. It is the first time that anyone from Slane has had the chance to speak before a Dail committee on this subject.' The presentation will take place in Leinster House. The invitation was issued to the group following the latest crash in the village which took place on 23rd March. The incident involved seven cars and two trucks and was caused by an out-of-control heavy goods vehicle. Although this crash had the potential to be the most serious to happen in the village so far, miraculously there were no fatalities or serious injuries, said Deputy McEntee. 'Slane residents have got to the stage where they feel they are hostages in their own village. The accident on 23rd March highlights the constant danger which surrounds them. Memories of fatalities over recent decades are still fresh in local minds. Although there have been 22 fatalities, the number of injured and people affected by trauma is far greater and has impacted on almost everyone in the community,' he said. There is anger and concern that meaningful action may not take place as a result of the recent accident. The need for the Slane bypass has already been acknowledged by the Noel Dempsey Minister of Transport and the National Roads Authority - but local residents, on the basis of previous experience, are sceptical that this concern will result in prompt action, he added. Although extensive preliminary and preparatory work has already been carried out, the Slane bypass still does not feature on the Government"s Transport 21 strategy nor is there any indication of when work on construction will commence. Putting the case to the Oireachtas committee on behalf of the community in Slane will be Slane Forum chairperson Ciaran Baxter, John Ryle of the Slane Bridge Action Group and Norma Kealy, one of the survivors of the accident. They will be pressing the committee to make the strongest recommendation they possibly can to the Cabinet to proceed with the construction of the bypass as a matter of urgency. A group of supporters from Slane will also be travelling to Leinster House on the day. At the meeting, they will issue an invitation to the members of the committee to visit Slane to see the situation for themselves.