A Co Tyrone school whose former pupils have been among those killed on the A5 is calling for action on the upgrade of the notoriously dangerous route.
Carrying crosses to represent the 54 people who have lost their lives since 2007, pupils at St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley came together on Monday to highlight the school community’s support for a new A5 road.
Year 12 pupil Odhran O’Hanlon, who was born on the date the upgrade was announced in 2007, spoke at the event.
He stood beside three awards, presented at the school’s annual prize diving ceremony, that are dedicated to pupils who have lost their lives on the A4 and A5.
The A5, which links Derry city with the border at Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, was first given the go-ahead in 2007.
It has been held up by legal proceedings and since then dozens of people have been killed in crashes on the stretch of the Derry-Dublin route.
Many pupils and staff at St Ciaran’s use the A5 as well as the A4 route to school, which in the past has also been the scene of tragic road deaths.
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Teacher Pascal Canavan said the school had previously been impacted by deaths on the A4, including Paul and Helen Hughes, siblings of All-Ireland Tyrone player Kevin Hughes, Martin McGeoghegan, Kieran O’Hagan, brothers Ciaran and Michael McGeary, Nicola Murray and Rachel Crean.
“To lose a family member has a catastrophic effect – on a family, a class, a year group and a school community,” said Mr Canavan.
“Grief is overwhelming. Anger at the senselessness, at the inaction by successive governments.
“Thankfully, since the A4 was upgraded there has been a 97% reduction in fatalities. A remarkable statistic.”
Mr Canavan said that “it is with this history that we now look at the A5″.
“This road has taken its toll again on the St Ciaran’s community,” he added.
“Pupils, parents, and grandparents, taken before their time.
“We think of Darragh Horisk, Darren McAnenly, Leo McKeever, Peter Finnegan, Nathan Corrigan and Kathleen McGarvey, alongside many others who have been injured or impacted by this treacherous route.
“However, to list names and quote statistics does not do justice to the loss that is felt by families.
“Regardless of first anniversaries or 31st anniversary, the impact of grief remains.
“This is compounded by the fact that the carnage continues along the A5, and the road remains an open wound for all impacted.”
He said the school is joining calls for the A5 upgrade to get underway before more lives are lost.
“A 97% reduction in road deaths for the A5 is also possible,” he added.
“This would be a more suitable memorial for all those who have lost their lives on this road.”
