'It should not take a fatality': Calls for urgent safety works at Merlin Park

Fresh calls have been made for urgent safety improvements at the entrance to Merlin Park Hospital following another crash at the location last week, with warnings that "it should not take a fatality" before Galway City Council takes action.

Published 6th Jul 2026, 11:47 BST Connacht Tribune Fresh calls have been made for urgent safety improvements at the entrance to Merlin Park Hospital following another crash at the location last week, with warnings that "it should not take a fatality" before Galway City Council takes action. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

The two-car collision took place on the Old Dublin Road near the entrance to the hospital on Tuesday evening last (June 30) around 5:40pm and gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene.

While no injuries were reported at the time, Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) has renewed his call for immediate intervention following the latest collision.

The incident, he said, highlighted the need for the council to act without further delay to improve safety for all road users.

“This entrance has been the scene of numerous accidents, and I have been requesting safety improvements for months,” Cllr Cheevers said.

“We cannot continue to wait while people are put at risk. It should not take a fatality before safety measures are implemented.”

It should not take a fatality before safety measures are implemented

Cllr Cheevers said he has repeatedly raised concerns with Galway City Council's Active Travel and Roads Section in recent months, arguing that the entrance requires immediate intervention.

He is calling on the council to prioritise safety works at the entrance for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians using the route.

“The council must act now to improve safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians using this busy entrance,” he said. “Preventative action is always better than reacting after a tragedy.”

READ NEXT: Fly-tipping crackdown as CCTV returning to Co Galway bring banks