Murragh records top speeding spot in 60km/h zone

A NOTORIOUS speeding blackspot in West Cork recorded the highest speed detected in a 60km/h zone in the entire county, according to data released by gardaí ahead of National Slow Down Day last week.

Figures released show that the highest speed detected on the R586 at Murragh was 96km/h, despite it being a 60km/h zone. 

Other findings show that the highest speed detected in a 50km/h zone in the county was 74km/h at Nadrid, Coachford. 

The speeds that were detected were taken over the seven days prior to National Slow Down Day, which saw gardaí conduct a major enforcement operation all across the country in a bid to reduce speed-related collisions and injuries.

However, convictions for speeding at Murragh are rare. The 60km/h zone on the Bandon-to-Enniskeane road (R586) was the subject of commentary by Judge James McNulty at a recent sitting of Bandon District Court. 

Judge McNulty said that he will ‘not entertain’ any more speeding cases arising at Murragh, until the issue of adequate signage on that stretch of road is addressed.

Judge McNulty cited the lack of advance proper signage and poor visibility of existing signs as his reasoning and said that, so far this year, he has come across 12 cases where people produced pictures to prove that the signs cannot be seen. Several motorists have had their speeding cases dismissed in Bandon District Court because they had told the court that they had not seen the 60km/h zone on approaching Murragh, despite gardaí saying the signage is adequate.