THE threat posed by deer roaming on to the main road at Ballydowney, Killarney – at all times of the day and night – was back on the agenda at this week’s meeting of the local council with calls repeated for proper fencing to be provided.
The animals roaming the borders of Killarney National Park have been involved in numerous accidents – many serious and at least one fatal – in recent years and there have been repeated calls on the authorities to erect safety fencing to keep them off the roads.
Mayor of Kerry, Cllr John Sheahan, said a very big deer was involved in yet another crash on the road at Ballydowney last Sunday night and it caused “a fair share of damage” to two cars.
“That deer, unfortunately, is gone by the wayside now but something needs to be done and there are major works needed to make the place safe,” he told a meeting of the Killarney Municipal District Council.
The issue of fencing at Ballydowney has been on the political agenda in Killarney for several years and, last February, Cllr John Joe Culloty said it showed a real level of incompetence that there isn’t a proper management plan in place to control deer roaming in and out of the park.
“This is a very serious situation. Lives are being put at risk every day and I have spoken to several people who have had near misses when driving past the park,” Cllr Culloty stressed.
He asked Kerry County Council to seek a commitment from the National Parks and Wildlife Service erect specific electronic deer warning signage on the approach to Killarney from Fossa and on the Muckross Road.
Cllr Sheahan, meanwhile, has also asked for two ‘speed reader’ signs to be erected in Ballydowney in an attempt to slow traffic down.
Council officials said they are preparing a feasibility study to submit to Transport Infrastructure Ireland seeking funding for safety works from Ballydowney to the Liebherr Container Cranes plant.
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