Plans could restrict the placement of roadside memorials on roads with speed limits above 60 kilometres per hour.
Grieving families across Ireland are facing renewed distress as government plans could restrict the placement of roadside memorials on roads with speed limits above 60 kilometres per hour.
Uncertainty also surrounds existing memorials, leaving many unsure whether they will be allowed to remain.
Susan Gray, founder of PARC (Parents and Relatives of Crash Victims), told Patricia Messinger on C103's Cork today that families were not consulted about the proposals, learning of them instead through the media.
“This is a deeply upsetting time for families who have lost loved ones, for many, these memorials are not just signs, they are spaces of remembrance, comfort, and connection.”
Gray has firsthand experience with the importance of roadside memorials.
After her husband Steve died on St. Stephen’s Day in 2004, she worked with Donegal County Council to place a memorial safely beside the road, following all regulations. The memorial serves as a place of reflection for her and a reminder to all who pass of the life that was lost.
Campaigners like Gray are calling on the government to provide clarity and reassurance to families. They want clear guidance on existing memorials and the conditions under which new ones might be allowed, emphasizing the emotional and symbolic importance of these tributes.
With the holiday season approaching, the issue has renewed significance. Families facing Christmas without loved ones are asking for compassion and transparency, ensuring that the memories of those lost are respected and protected.
