Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Shane Tiernan confirmed this week that the N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny road project is currently subject to a judicial review in the High Court.
Addressing Monday’s AGM of the local authority, Mr Tiernan said the judicial review was sought by an individual following approval of the project by members last February.
The project involves the realignment of a 4.5km section of the N61 national secondary route from Tulsk to Clashaganny.
Director of Services Greg O’Donnell read the following statement: “In light of this (judicial review) and rather than finding the progression of the road safety works delayed for a lengthy period of time, it was decided to agree to an order in the proceedings setting aside the resolution of the Council reached on the 27th of February 2023.
“While it is disappointing that the timeframe for the delivery of the road project has increased due to this legal action, Roscommon County Council remains fully committed to the objectives of the County Development Plan, the progression of N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny Road Project, and the resolutions associated with the seriously deficient section of the N61”.
Councillors expressed their dismay at the news with Cllr Liam Callaghan saying that it was the members’ understanding that all issues had been dealt and that there had been a feeling of general goodwill from the public towards the proposed project.
Mr O’Donnell said the application had been “thorough” but that in the current legal environment, there was no such thing as a “watertight plant”. He said stepping back from the project was the most prudent course of action.
Members were told that there would be no “substantial” changes to the current scheme following the legal process but that the project would have to go to Part 8 once more for approval.
