Routes across Cork 'at a standstill' as people urged to 'get home safely'

Traffic is extremely heavy across Cork city this evening following a number of incidents, with some routes described as being “at a standstill”.

Two separate road traffic incidents on the South Link Road earlier this afternoon coincided with a suspected gas leak in Mahon.

The incidents came after an head-on collision on the N28 this morning resulted in a woman in her 30s being taken to hospital with life threatening injuries.

The incident, which involved two cars, occurred on Carr's Hill at 10am.

The woman was transferred from the scene to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for further treatment.

Douglas-based Independent city councillor and former Lord Mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy said it was a very difficult evening in the city.

“The most important thing to say is that someone has been very seriously injured on our roads today and, first and foremost, all of our thoughts will be with that person and their family this evening,” he said.

“Everyone in the city will be thinking of that poor soul and her family at this awful time, and I know I and my colleagues would urge people to delay their journeys if they can at all, and the most important thing is to get home safely.” 

Labour Party councillor Peter Horgan said traffic was “chaotic” on the southside this evening.

“Things are at a standstill. You had two separate serious crashes on the south link, you had a gas leak which shut down the link road by Mahon Point, you had a collision on Skehard Road, you had a tractor turning over between Kinsale and Carrigaline, and there was a collision on the North Ring Road,” he said.

“We always say one tip would shut down the city, but five or six incidents have happened, and have absolutely shut down the city.

“I would ask people to delay their travel if they can, take your time, pay attention, and slow down.”