'You are five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured' - TD urges action on dangerous N25
The N25 has attracted criticism over its hazardous conditions.
Fresh criticism has been launched at the dangerous road conditions in the South East region, particularly on the N24 and N25 roads.
Last week, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan spoke at the Dáil about the hazardous stretches of high-speed roads in Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow.
The Fine Gael TD stated that half of all road fatalities in 2025 occurred on roads above 80km/h.
She said: "Outside Glenmore in south Kilkenny, a 6km stretch of the N25 is among the most lethal pieces of road in the country. You are five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on this section of road than on any other road in Ireland."
Deputy Callaghan referenced the stalled Waterford to Cahir N24 scheme. In early 2025, the scheme was denied funding by the Government despite the pleas of local representatives and residents.
Deputy Callaghan said: "Similarly, the Waterford to Cahir scheme on the N24 is stalled between stages 2 and 3, awaiting the necessary backing before it can proceed. People in Kilkenny are crying out for this work to be progressed urgently and to curb the senseless and utterly preventable tragedies. The time for talk is over; now is the time to act.
"I urge the relevant Ministers to do everything in their power to ensure these life-saving projects across the N24 and N25 are progressed as quickly as possible. Road tragedies remind us that everything can change in an instant and we should adopt that attitude when it comes to safety on the road."
In the Dáil, the Fine Gael deputy thanked Piltown councillors Fidelis Doherty and Pat Dunphy for their advocacy on the road conditions.
At the February meeting of the Piltown Municipal District, councillors queried about the lack of developments on the schemes, including the aborted Waterford-Cahir N24 Scheme. The scheme was once envisaged as opening a 116km corridor between Waterford and Limerick to provide better connectivity between the Western and South Eastern regions. Works are still progressing on the Cahir to Limerick Junction scheme and are being led by Tipperary County Council.
Cathaoirleach Pat Dunphy requested for the N25 and N24 schemes to be kept "on the agenda". Area Engineer for Kilkenny County Council John Tennyson confirmed that there have been "no updates" on the schemes.
However, Mr Tennyson confirmed that speed limits had been lowered along sections of the N25. He said: "The N25 Curraghmore to Gaulstown is complete, all the signs have been taken down and the permanent signage is there at the moment. That's pretty much finalised now."
Cllr Doherty asked about the allocation of funding for the N25 Waterford to Glenmore scheme, saying: "I think there was an understanding it would have happened at the end of 2025, and indeed an indication that it would happen in January 2026. It hasn't happened to date and currently there is no definite indication."
She added: "You just want to be careful with all the damage to the roads during the very heavy weather."
Mr Tennyson said: "I believe in the case that was given that that will be advanced. That hasn't been confirmed yet, so there's no news, no update on that yet."
