Three collisions on same stretch of Limerick motorway overnight

THREE road traffic collisions occurred in less than two hours on the same stretch of the M7 Limerick to Dublin motorway overnight.

The incidents occurred amid hazardous weather conditions. The road was closed for hours to allow emergency services to attend to the drivers and clear the scenes.

The first collision on Saturday night was eastbound between Birdhill and Nenagh.

A garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí attended the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 10.25pm on on the M7 in the Ballinahinch area of Birdhill, County Tipperary. No injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing."

The second incident occurred a short time later in the same location but in the westbound lane.

"Gardaí attended the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 11.15pm on Saturday, January 14 on the M7 in the Ballinahinch area of Birdhill, County Tipperary. No injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing," said a garda spokesperson.

The third collision occurred between Birdhill and Castletroy shortly after midnight. It is not known at this time the number of vehicles involved or if any injuries were sustained.

One motorist described road conditions as "treacherous" due to heavy rain and hail showers. Limerick Live understands a number of motorists were guided by gardai to drive at a maximum speed of 40kms.

Many Monaleen fans would have caught up in the road closures as they returned from watching their team being crowned All- Ireland intermediate club hurling champions in Croke Park.

That stretch of of the M7 has long been controversial due to the number of road traffic collisions and fatalities that occur there.

Action sought over ‘notorious’ stretch of Limerick motorway

In 2021, Minister of State Niall Collins and Cllr Marin Ryan called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to investigate the M7 between Annacotty and Nenagh.

Mr Collins said he raised his concerns over "aquaplaning" as far back as 2018 through a Dail question and got a "piecemeal" answer from TII.

"What has to happen for them to take action? It can’t be a coincidence that multiple crashes occur when there are hail showers or heavy rain.

"Motorways should be the safest of all roads but for some reason this isn’t. There has to be something seriously wrong. It is a significant issue of public concern," said Mr Collins.