Local authorities paid out €1.3m to motorists for pothole damage since 2023

Darragh Mc Donagh

Motorists who complained to local authorities after their vehicles were damaged by potholes received around €1.3 million in compensation during the past three years, new figures have revealed.

The local authority with the highest level of successful claims by motorists who suffered pothole damage was Donegal County Council, which has paid out €340,923 through its insurer since 2023.

Cork County Council faced a similar bill of €275,439, though this related to 1,175 claims by motorists, whereas the larger figure paid out by Donegal County Council related to just 109.

Meath County Council was hit with 556 claims from motorists who damaged their vehicles in potholes during the three-year period, paying out a total of €143,544. By contrast, neighbouring Westmeath County Council paid out just 11,669 in respect of 43 claims from motorists.

Galway City Council had the lowest level of compensation for pothole damage at €3,765, while Galway County Council paid out 10 times this amount, settling claims worth €37,342 since 2023.

Motorists who filed claims for pothole damage received a total of €542,382 from local authorities in 2023, with Donegal and Cork County Councils accounting for €188,043 and €111,997 of this, respectively.

The annual total fell to €383,507 in 2024 and €366,096 last year, with €1.3 million paid out over the three years. The figures were provided by 28 of the state’s 31 local authorities under the Freedom of Information Act.

Cork City Council was the only local authority to refuse to release the information under the Act, while Carlow County Council and Kerry County Council failed to issue a decision within the statutory time limit.

Louth County Council had the fourth-highest bill for pothole damage during the three-year period, with 403 motorists who damaged their vehicles on its roads receiving a total of €70,453.

It was followed by Fingal County Council (€50,681), Tipperary Council Council (€50,105), and Galway County Council (€37,342). Limerick City and County Council was next with €36,905.

Some of the lowest levels of compensation were paid out by Kilkenny County Council (€4,540), Laois County Council (€5,317), Leitrim County Council (€5,433), and South Dublin County Council (€6,097).

Local authorities are insured against claims from motorists by Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance (IPB), which is owned by its policyholders.

Councils are typically not liable for damage incurred as a result of normal wear and tear of roads in the absence of any intervention or negligence by the local authority.

Many claims would therefore relate to circumstances where potholes had been repaired to an insufficient standard.