Since 2007 47 lives have been lost on the A5

Communities and families torn apart.
The GAA family in Tyrone is saying ENOUGH
and demanding action on the A5 upgrade.

The A5 stretches across almost half of county Tyrone and since the decision was reached in July 2007 some 47 people have lost their lives on some stretch of this road. Not a single yard of tarmac has been laid on the new A5 road.

The A8 road scheme between Belfast and Larne started in May 2008 and was completed in December 2016. That was 7 years, 6 months and 25 days from beginning to end.

If the A5 had been delivered in a similar timeframe 22 of the A5 deaths might well have been avoided. At the current rate at least another 4 deaths will occur on the A5 in 2023.

Enough is Enough!

On the date of our launch, Monday 23rd January 2023, this marks, five thousand, six hundred and sixty-nine days since the new A5 received the go-ahead from the NI Executive.

Enough is Enough!

15 years, six months and six days later and not a single yard of tarmac.

Enough is Enough!

No more deaths on our doorstep. 47 lives. 47 lives later.

Enough is Enough!

UPDATE – 23 JANUARY 2023

The “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group held their Public Launch in the Tyrone GAA Centre at Garvaghey. A massive crowd, possibly the Centre’s largest ever, saw standing room only in the main auditorium and indeed the spill-over area in the foyer (where the event was live-streamed) was packed also. Ex-RTE news presenter, Eileen Dunne, hosted the night which witnessed harrowing stories from, among others, Peter Dolan, Eamon McGrath, Kate Corrigan and Kevin Hughes. Chair, Niall McKenna, welcomed all to the event, especially those from the different sporting codes and backgrounds stating, “This road does not discriminate, it will kill you regardless of what sport you follow or none.” An incredibly emotional night for all in attendance. You can watch the whole event here.

UPDATE – 25 JANUARY 2023

Two nights after the Public Launch in Garvaghey, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dáil, notes our event and reaffirmed the Irish Government’s commitment (including financial) to the scheme and indeed the N2 road improvement scheme which joins the A5 at the border at Aughnacloy.

UPDATE – 30 JANUARY 2023

One week after the Public Launch, the “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group have spent much of the week being interviewed by the media – TV, radio, online and print. Our launch has definitely attracted massive publicity and the issue is now firmly in the public attention again, all positive. Our Group is energised and motivated – we have definitely lit a spark with the public.

UPDATE – 14 FEBRUARY 2023

Delegates from the “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group meet with the Mid-Ulster District Council and present to them. Afterwards, the Council reaffirms their commitment to the project and their support of our Group.

UPDATE – 25 FEBRUARY 2023

Delegates from the “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group meet with Stormont’s Infrastructure sub-committee members. Those present reaffirmed their commitment to the project and their support of our Group. They also reminded us that the A5 is a cross-party Executive approved and supported project.

UPDATE – 7 MARCH 2023

Delegates from the “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group meet with the Derry & Strabane District Council at the Guildhall and present to them. Afterwards, the Council reaffirms their commitment to the project and their support of our Group.

UPDATE – 15 MARCH 2023

The dates are released for the Public Inquiry into the A5 – The inquiry will re-open at 10.30am on Monday, 15^th May 2023 in the Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh and will continue there until Friday, 19^th May.  During that week, the environmental statement, the habitats reports and the proposed supplementary vesting order will be discussed.  After a week’s break, the inquiry will convene in Omagh Enterprise Centre, Gortrush Industrial Estate from Tuesday, 30^th May to Friday, 2^nd June 2023, when strategic issues will be discussed.  The detailed programme for the inquiry is available here.

UPDATE – 29 MARCH 2023

Delegates from the “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group meet with the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and present to them. Afterwards, the Council reaffirms their commitment to the project and their support of our Group.

UPDATE – 31 MARCH 2023

The “A5 – Enough Is Enough” Group make their written submission to A5WTC Department of Infrastructure (DfI)’s request for responses to their “A5 Supplementary Information to the Environmental Statement Addendum (2022)” as part of the Public Inquiry process.

UPDATE – 11 APRIL 2023

Our online petition (sign here) has now reached 8,649 signatures. The latest comment states, “I lost my son Simon on this awful road in April 2011 and this road needs upgraded asap.”

UPDATE – 27 APRIL 2023

TRAGEDY STRIKES AGAIN – A road traffic accident on a section of the A5 between Aughnacloy and Ballygawley results in the deaths of three members of the one family; Dan McKane, Christine McKane and Julia McSorley (from the Strabane/Newstownstewart areas). The A5 Enough Is Enough Group are devastated by the news, but unfortunately not surprised. More families and communities devastated. An interim Inquiry report previously stated that upgrading this section of the road would be “over-provision” and “offer no significant benefits.”

UPDATE – 8 MAY 2023

Our online petition (sign here) has now gathered over 10,000 signatures. We will be speaking with a loud voice.

UPDATE – 9 MAY 2023

Our Group hosts an Information Night in advance of the Public Inquiry recommencing on Monday 15th May. A packed audience hears the group imploring everyone to attend the Inquiry and make their voices heard. The objectors are asked to reflect and reconsider in light of the continuing carnage. Politicians from all sides, north and south, ask everyone to support the scheme. We hear more harrowing stories from families of victims all saying the same thing – make sure no other families have to go through what we are going through. A powerful message has been sent out on the night.

UPDATE – 15 MAY 2023

The Public Inquiry resumed today in the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh. A large turnout of our supporters and families of road victims were in attendance. Our banner and our placards were raised high above the River Strule sending out a strong message. Outside the Centre, many media outlets heard harrowing stories from the families who all said the same thing – it was hard to be there but they did not want another family to go through what they were experiencing. Inside the Centre, we went through the minutiae of environmental statements, traffic models, climate and air quality. The potential of dead trees along the route was talked about at length – no discussion of dead road vicitims! Unfortunately, despite us asking the objectors to reflect and reconsider, a small number (their entirety?) were also in attendance. As our Barrister said at the outset, “The A5 in its current construct is a grim reaper, time its only constraint.”