Donegal TDs react to ‘dangerous’ and ‘devastating’ A5 ruling

The High Court ruling to quash the proposed upgrade of A5, which links Donegal with Monaghan via Tyrone, has been met with disappointment by Donegal TDs.

In a judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Monday, Mr Justice McAlinden said the proposed scheme breached elements of the Climate Change Act 2022 after the Northern Ireland Executive gave the green light for the long-awaited upgrade to the A5 in October.

Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher said the  decision “is deeply disappointing and, quite frankly, dangerous”.

 “It represents a glaring disconnect between the legal process and the urgent realities facing communities across the north-west. This ruling - based on procedural gaps in environmental documentation - delays a project that is not only long overdue but essential to saving lives.

READ NEXT: Letterkenny Chamber says A5 upgrade 'needs to happen to save lives'

“We are speaking about one of the most dangerous roads on this island. Every year, more lives are lost while this critical infrastructure project is left in limbo. The environmental oversight cited in the judgment, while important, must be addressed without derailing the entire process. It is inconceivable that a draft Climate Action Plan’s omission could bring to a halt a project of such societal importance, especially one already backed by €600 million in Irish Government funding.”

He called on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport Daragh O’Brien to meet with key stakeholders to accelerate a “legally sound path forward for the A5 and N2 road projects”. 

“This cannot become another decade-long delay. We need accountability, urgency, and delivery.”

Sinn Féin in Donegal described the decision as  “a devastating blow for our communities”.

The party’s Donegal TDs Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn in a joint statement said: “Our communities have waited and suffered long enough, and our first thoughts are with all those families who have tragically lost loved ones on this road.

“Building the A5 will save lives, create jobs, and significantly reduce journey times between the north-west and Dublin.

“While today is another setback, Sinn Féin remains determined to see this road transformed.

“Every day that this project is delayed risks more avoidable heartbreak, and Sinn Féin will continue to work with our colleagues in Stormont to ensure a new A5 is delivered.”

The judgement by  Mr Justice McAlinden followed judicial review proceedings which were brought against the Department for Infrastructure in the North by nine applicants, including residents, farmers and landowners opposed to the £1.2 billion scheme.

There have been more than 50 deaths on the A5, which links Derry with Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, since 2006.

A scheme to turn the road into a dual carriageway was first approved by the Executive in 2007 but it has been held up by legal challenges and uncertainty over funding.

In his findings, Mr Justice McAlinden pointed out that the road scheme was not mentioned in Stormont’s draft Climate Action Plan published last week.

He quashed the ministerial decision to proceed with the project, stating that it breached section 52 of the Climate Change Act as well as Article 8 human rights issues identified by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC).

The judge said there had been a lack of evidence presented that the road upgrade project would not contribute to Northern Ireland failing to meeting the Act’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

He said: “I am acutely aware that this decision will bring significant, fresh anguish to the doors of those who have been injured and maimed and those who have lost loved ones as a result of road traffic accidents on the existing A5 road.