FOI finds that “Subjective” roads condition not backed up by any official reports

Published 31/08/2026 By Ross McGann

In July of 2026, on a stretch of road in north Offaly, a main route for HGV’s traveling from a local pig farm to the factory in Edendery, as well as a lot of agricultural and general traffic, saw markings laid down indicating work was about be done. The markings were about 1km apart and went from one bend down past another with a mark noting the midway point. The first bend had been resurfaced in recent years while the second, which has the corner of an old stone shed at it, had not been resurfaced in over 10 years.

On Thursday of the week before work began, the construction crew asked a local farmer if they could use the entrance to a field to store materials while they completed the works. Word got out that works were to begin the following Monday and last until Tuesday. The local Councillors were contacted and asked if they were aware of the closure as residents had received no information. They confirmed that they had not been however returned the following day with the details of the closure. They showed a green “works area” that was 1km long and included both bends.

Monday came and the road was closed, residents along the stretch were not contacted nor any information left with households. The original marshaled closure point had been moved roughly 500 meters up the road from what was denoted on the plans provided by Councillors. Residents ended up going the wrong direction when leaving their homes and had to make u-turns when they met the road crew and some had trouble getting past the closure point to return to their homes, where the works had yet to reach.

By Tuesday afternoon residents had noticed that the works being done were not reaching anywhere near what was noted on the map and the marshals had confirmed that the works were to end that day. When contacted, local Councillors confirmed that only 500 meters of the included “Works area” was budgeted for and it was determined by the engineers that the area by the bend, that had been resurfaced in recent years, was in more need of work.

When questioned as to why the section of road that was clearly in better condition than the other end was resurfaced, the Councillor responded that the road conditions are “Subjective”.

A freedom of information request was sent to the council requesting any reports made within the last 12 months relating to the condition of the road.

That part of the FOI returned “No Results exist”

The issues of allocation of resources is not unique in this case, many local residents feel as though sections of roads that have been redone in recent years, keep getting selected for works, when areas that have become dangerous do not.

The Question remains as to what criteria is used within the council to determine the condition of the roads and where exactly should resources be allocated remain.