REVEALED: Thousands of euro of claims paid out over potholes in Limerick

LIMERICK City and County Council has paid out almost €18,500 in compensation to drivers whose vehicles have been damaged by potholes across the last 20 months.

The figures, which show there were 329 claims in total, were released to Fine Gael’s Liam Galvin at this month’s full council meeting.

The Abbeyfeale man said some roads across Limerick are in a “shocking condition”.

“It’s my opinion we are not able to cope. We are not getting value for money. We are not getting what we used to from our roads budget, given the rise in the price of materials. I think there’s been a massive deterioration in the state of our roads,” said Cllr Galvin.

A pothole is a depression or hollow in a road surface caused by wear or sinking, and can do significant damage to vehicles.

Reports of snagging wheels, popping tyres or suspension damage to cars as a result of potholes are common across Ireland.

From the start of 2023 up to now, there were 123 compensation claims for pothole-related damage to vehicles in the Adare/Rathkeale district.

Of these, 45 were successful, with 17 unsuccessful.

The remainder have either been passed to third parties after investigation, or are yet to be looked at.

In total, it was this district which saw the biggest payout to drivers of €9,653.03.

In Cappamore/Kilmallock, a total of €6,758.37 was paid out to drivers whose vehicles had been damaged by potholes.

Of 108 claims, 46 were successful, 43 were not, with the remainder again passed on following investigation or yet to be examined.

In the metropolitan district, which includes the city and its suburbs, €20,44.64 was paid out in compensation.

Of 49 claims, nine were successful, with 28 unsuccessful.

The balance have either been passed on to third parties or are yet to be investigated.

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But in Cllr Galvin’s own district of Newcastle West, the amount of successful compensation claims made was zero - with nothing being paid out as a result.

This came despite 49 claims.

The former mayor said he does not know why this is the case, and has called for a re-examination of compensation claims in this area.

“I’m asking all these unsuccessful claims be revisited, re-looked at, and let’s identify the reasons as to why they were unsuccessful,” he said.

“We as motorists are paying big road taxes, and big insurance and we’re paying a hefty premium for our cars. I think the local authority needs to be held accountable on this,” he said.

Cllr Galvin said there is frustration among himself and council engineers at the payouts which need to be made over the state of the roads.

“There are road users who have had excessive damage done to their cars due to potholes and overhanging trees,” he added.
In the written answer, council senior engineer John Gannon added some claims have been passed to third parties after investigation.

Not all claims notified have been investigated to date.

No claims have been notified to council in relation to overhanging hedges, he added.