Damage to a Public Road

It is an offence to deface, damage or dig up a public road without the consent of Limerick County Council. You can apply for a Road Opening Licence which will allow you to dig up a public road to lay pipes, wires or cables etc. It is also an offence to allow stones, clay or any other material to remain on a public road where by doing so it would cause a hazard or potential hazard to people using the road or obstruct or interfere with the safe use of the road. A fine or up to six months imprisonment can be imposed on an offender.
 

How to ensure that you don’t damage a public road or cause a hazard to road users:

• Drivers of tractors, diggers and other off-road vehicles should ensure that the tyres of these vehicles are regularly washed down to avoid carrying mud & stones onto the public road.

• Farmers should ensure that trailers carrying animals or slurry do not leak onto the public road so as to cause a hazard or nuisance.

• Where cattle frequently cross the public road farmers should ensure that dung or urine does not build up so as to cause danger to road users or indeed damage the public road itself over time.

• Care must also be taken to ensure that loads being carried in vehicles or trailers are well secured to prevent material falling onto the public road.