A parish priest in Ireland's County Donegal has issued a stark and solemn warning, declaring that funerals will become a grim regularity unless a notoriously dangerous local road is immediately repaired.
Fr John Joe Duffy, of St. Mary's Church in Creeslough, delivered his emotional plea following the heartbreak of multiple fatalities on the R251 road. He stated that the community is being 'failed' by those in power, forced to endure a prolonged and unacceptable delay in vital safety works.
The priest's powerful homily highlighted the very real human cost of political inaction. He directly addressed the authorities, demanding to know how many more lives must be lost before the necessary funding is allocated to make the road safe.
A Community Living in Fear
The R251 has become synonymous with tragedy for the local residents. Fr Duffy emphasised that every journey on this route is now fraught with anxiety, with people fearing it could be their last. The road's perilous condition is a constant source of dread for families, motorists, and the entire community.
His intervention comes after yet another serious collision, underscoring the urgent need for intervention. The priest is now championing the community's cause, transforming his pulpit into a platform for a crucial road safety campaign.
A Plea for Action Before Another Tragedy
Fr Duffy's message was clear: thoughts and prayers are no longer enough. What is required is decisive action from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the local council. The planned improvement works cannot come soon enough for a populace that has already endured too much grief.
"We cannot wait for another death," the priest implored, capturing the collective frustration and fear of his parishioners. His words serve as a powerful reminder that behind the statistics are real people, families, and a community forever scarred by preventable loss.
