The central section of the pedestrian footbridge over the River Lingaun linking Counties Kilkenny and Tipperary has collapsed, forcing the bridge’s closure to the public.
However, the February meeting of the Piltown Municipal District was told that people are continuing to use the bridge, much to the concern of local political representatives, including Municipal District Chair, Cllr Pat Dunphy (FG).
“I would urge people not to use it,” Cllr Dunphy told KCLR News. “That bridge is now very, very dangerous and is ready to fully topple into that river. And with the strength of the water at the moment given the amount of water running under the bridge, it has deteriorated further, which is why we need people to stay off it.”
Addressing the meeting, Area Engineer John Tennyson said: “the bridge was due to be secured on both sides but since our last meeting (in January) the central pier has been completely washed away; the bridge has collapsed in the centre.”
Mr Tennyson said the bridge is likely to be “completely fenced off” on the Tipperary side while “the bridge will need to be taken down” on the Kilkenny side. “What we believe is that people are still using it,” the Area Engineer noted. “The priority at the moment is to secure the bridge and both local authorities are engaging on that.”
The bridge forms part of the 104-kilometre South Leinster Way, which commences at the Carlow village of Kildavin, taking in Borris, Inistioge and Graiguenamanagh, running to its most southerly point at Carrick-on-Suir. The route is also part of the European E8 walking route which connects Dublin to Dursey Island off the West Cork coast. Funding for a replacement bridge has yet to be discussed by the neighbouring local authorities “but will happen soon,” John Tennyson confirmed.
At the January meeting, it was revealed that information on the Killonerry bridge did not feature in the database of either Kilkenny or Tipperary County Councils. However, documentation accessed by Mr Tennyson indicated that the bridge had been built during the 1930s. A joint application for an additional bridge to be built alongside the pedestrian bridge was submitted to central government in 1964 but wasn’t approved at the time.
KCLR Daily presenter Brian Ormond spoke to reporter Dermot Keyes from the south bank of the Lingaun at Killonerry this morning.
Cllr Pat Dunphy shared his concerns about public safety at Killonerry with KCLR News following yesterday’s Piltown Municipal District meeting at Ferrybank.
