'Grave danger' Calls made for urgent changes to busy Tipperary road
Tipperary South TD Michael Murphy has called for urgent action to be taken on the N24 after a serious incident in early october almost claimed the lives of two children
Tipperary South TD Michael Murphy has written a letter to TII claiming urgent action is needed regarding road safety on the N24 between Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir.
Deputy Murphy has called for urgent changes to be made along the stretch of road.
The call comes after a serious incident occurred earlier this month, which almost took the lives of two young children.
In his letter, he said: “I'm writing to you jointly to express my grave concern regarding road safety on the N24 Clonmel Road approach to Carrick-on-Suir, particularly in the vicinity of Eircode E32 TC59, following a very serious road traffic collision on Friday, 2nd October 2026.
“I attach photographs of the aftermath of this collision, in which two young children, aged just four and two, were extraordinarily fortunate to escape with their lives.
“I’m now calling for an urgent review of the existing speed limits along this stretch of the N24, together with a comprehensive road safety audit and the identification of immediate measures to reduce the risk of further serious collisions.
“I believe there is a compelling case for extending the existing 50 km/h speed limit further out along the Clonmel Road, at the very least to a point before the access road to the Suir Blueway, and preferably beyond the factory entrance further out along this route.
“I also wish to highlight that these very same road safety concerns were raised by Cllr Kieran Bourke as far back as 2018.
“The level of traffic turning into and out of the factory premises, particularly following its change of ownership, is a further cause for concern. Significant numbers of vehicles are turning across or joining a national road where the speed limit is currently 100 km/h. This presents an obvious road safety risk, particularly when considered alongside the other residential, commercial and recreational access points along this stretch.
“The current transition from a 100 km/h national road to the lower urban speed limit needs to be critically examined in the context of the actual activity taking place along this approach to Carrick-on-Suir.
“It’s simply not acceptable that families accessing their homes, workers entering and exiting their place of employment, and members of the public accessing the Blueway should be exposed to potentially life-threatening risks without a thorough assessment of whether the existing arrangements remain appropriate.
“I’m particularly concerned that the dangers associated with this stretch of road have been highlighted previously, yet we are now dealing with a collision that could so easily have resulted in the loss of two young lives.
“As Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, I want to be absolutely clear: I’m in no doubt that, unless decisive action is taken, someone will be killed or seriously injured along this stretch of road.
“I do not make that statement lightly.
“I am therefore asking TII and Tipperary County Council to treat this matter with the utmost urgency and to confirm:
“That an immediate review of the speed limits on this section of the N24 will be undertaken, specifically examining an extension of the 50 km/h zone beyond the Blueway access and factory entrance.
“That a comprehensive road safety audit will be commissioned, examining junctions, entrances, turning movements, sightlines, traffic speeds and the overall safety of this approach to Carrick-on-Suir.
“What interim safety measures can be introduced without delay, pending the outcome of that review.
“Whether the collision history and previous representations concerning road safety along this section have been examined and what action, if any, has resulted.
“That a clear timeline will be provided for the completion of these assessments and the implementation of any recommended measures.
“I would also welcome an urgent on-site meeting with representatives of TII and Tipperary County Council to examine these concerns firsthand.
“We should not have to wait for a fatality before taking the necessary steps to make this road safer.
“I expect both organisations to give this matter their immediate attention and would appreciate an early and substantive response outlining the actions proposed.”