Pupils stage poignant ceremony as Executive due to discuss A5

STUDENTS from St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley staged a poignant ceremony at Stormont this morning as the Minister for Infrastructure announced that he has formally recommended approval for the A5.

Year 14 pupils held more than 50 crosses marking the lives lost on the notorious road since a dual carriageway was first proposed in 2007. They also held photographs of some of those killed, including Kamile Vaicikonyte (17), a pupil atthe school who died in a collision on the A5 earlier this year.

Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, spoke with the students and their teachers for more than 30 minutes. In what was described as an ’emotional and profound’ discussion, the pupils told him of how they had been affected by deaths on the A5.

Mr O’Dowd said he had now provided his Executive colleagues with an extensive report on why he believes the road should go ahead. It is expected to be discussed by them at a meeting today (Thursday).

He added that he expected a decision in the ‘very near future’.

“I want to commend St Ciaran’s on what was a very poignant and moving tribute to their friend Kamile and all those killed on the A5,” he said.

“Not only is it a tribute to them, but it is also a stark reminder of why we need to move ahead with the A5.

“I am the Minister responsible for bringing this forward and I have completed the work in that regard. All the papers have been prepared and all the recommendations which were made by the Planning Appeals Commission following the Public Inquiry last year.

“The recommendations were detailed and very challenging and I have presented a very detailed report to my Executive colleagues. It is over to my Executive colleagues to make a decision to allow me to make a formal decision.

“My recommendation is to move ahead and start the construction work and the building of it. I hope that my report will be before the Executive today, but I do understand that my Executive colleagues have received a significant amount of paperwork and they will need time to examine that.”