12-07-2025
North Kerry owner of land bordering dangerous stretch of road speaks in support of building footpath
Pedestrians wishing to make their way into Listowel from some parts of the Clieveragh and Bedford residential areas, located on the northern outskirts of the town, currently have no choice but to walk on the narrow stretch of road due the absence of a footpath.
Brendan Hegarty told The Kerryman that he owns much of the property adjacent to the road running between the Old Road and Slí na Spéire.
Mr Hegarty provided a statement after this newspaper reported on a frightening near-miss with a van recently experienced by Old Road resident Stephen Galvin and his daughter Freya (4) while they were walking on the section of road into town.
Mr Hegarty's statement reads:
'Just to clarify, I own Slí Mo Scéal, Clieveragh, Listowel; a small development which constitutes the majority of the road frontage referred to in last week's Kerryman.
'Kerry County Council has engaged with a view to the making safe of the R552 Clieveragh Road by the provision of a footpath and street lighting.
'I would encourage guardians here to respect road users and for my part and as previously stated, I will only deal directly with the legitimate designated personnel currently employed by Kerry County Council, if only on grounds of legal capacity.
'Works could begin immediately to avoid the escalated danger, with the Clieveragh Road now even busier as a feeder route to the new Listowel bypass.
"Just imagine heavy goods vehicles from opposite directions meeting with pedestrians; maybe carefree youngsters making their way home from after school sports of a dark, rainy evening! The work also removes obstruction to other local housing projects.
Kerry County Council has not responded to an enquiry from The Kerryman asking if it plans to install safety measures, including a pedestrian crossing and filling in the gaps of the footpath, in the Clieveragh and Bedford areas along the road into Listowel on May 28.
