Judge blasts poor speed limit signage in Murragh

A DISTRICT Court Judge has said he will ‘not entertain’ any more speeding cases arising at Murragh, Enniskeane until the question of adequate signage for drivers is addressed. 

‘There have been 12 cases in this court in the last year where people produced pictures saying the signs cannot be seen,’ said Judge James McNulty at a recent sitting of Bandon District Court.

The speed limit on the R586 between Bandon and Enniskeane reduces to 60 km/h approaching Murragh and reverts to 80 km/h thereafter. Judge McNulty commented on the issue when dealing with the case of a bread delivery man who found himself subject to two speeding fines in the same week after driving through Murragh.

Judge McNulty said he has a certain view about the 60km/h speed limit at Murragh and has even visited it himself because the issue has come before the courts on so many occasions.

‘I think it’s poorly signed too, as you are driving out of a darking dip into the light and citizens are at a disadvantage and it’s like a trap for the unwary,’ said Judge McNulty.

However, Insp Ger Lacey said the signs showing the reduced speed limit are signed well.

‘It was never envisaged as a speed trap and the reason the reduced speed limit is there is due to a number of collisions on that stretch of road,’ said Insp Lacey.

Judge McNulty said the signage should be adequate and made the point that drivers are driving into a trap, although Insp Lacey disagreed.

‘The sign on the left from the Bandon side is usually obscured by a tree,’ added Judge McNulty.

Insp Lacey said the signs that are in place outside Murragh are standard regulatory signs provided by the local authority and he said that in some cases drivers just don’t take notice of signs.

Michal Maciej Wisniowski, Apt 1, 4 Rock St Cloyne pleaded guilty in court to two speeding offences at Murragh.

The defendant’s first speeding offence was on February 12th where he was detected driving 71km/h in a 60 km/h zone, while his second offence occurred that same week on February 17th where he was driving 69 km/h in the same 60km/h zone. The court was told that fixed charge notices for both offences were issued but had not been paid.

Judge McNulty convicted and fined him €100 on one charge and struck out the second summons but said he would attain five penalty points on his licence for the offence.