Renmore walkway plans stalled over security fears after knife attack
The Defence Forces have cited heightened security concerns following an attack on military personnel in August 2024, during which army chaplain Fr Paul Murphy was injured
A proposed public walkway and cycle link connecting Ballyloughane to Galway city centre has stalled over military road safety objections and heightened security concerns following an attack on Defence Forces personnel, the Dáil heard this week.
The plan, which aimed to establish a new route linking the Ballyloughane-Renmore area to Lough Atalia and the city centre, involved the use of Defence Forces lands adjoining Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in Renmore.
Galway City Council drew up proposals in 2021 to clear away, resurface, and carry out ancillary works to an existing road on local authority ground to the east of Renmore Barracks.
However, military authorities raised objections regarding the potential impact on security at the installation and on road and pedestrian safety, warning that routing the track past the main gate would bring pedestrian and cyclist traffic in proximity with heavy military vehicles entering and leaving the barracks.
The Defence Forces also cited heightened security concerns following an attack on military personnel in August 2024, during which army chaplain Fr Paul Murphy was injured.
The details emerged during a Dáil exchange involving Fine Gael TD Seán Kyne and Defence Minister Helen McEntee, who was asked what measures were being considered to provide alternative connectivity following the closure.
Ms McEntee confirmed that she had instructed a senior official to meet with the city council and its chief executive to determine definitively what role, if any, the Department of Defence has in resolving the matter.
“In 2021, Galway City Council shared proposals with the Defence Forces to clear away, resurface and carry out ancillary works to the existing road on its lands to the east of Renmore Barracks,” she said.
“Over the course of this engagement, the Defence Forces highlighted a number of concerns regarding the development's potential impact on security at the barracks and on road and pedestrian safety.
“They noted that the proposed route past the main gate would bring pedestrian and cyclist traffic into conflict with heavy vehicles leaving and entering the barracks,” added the minister.
“I am conscious that this matter has been ongoing for some time. I am also very conscious that there is still a lack of clarity as to what happens next. I have instructed one of my senior officials to meet with the city council, its chief executive and, I hope, members of the council and local representatives to determine definitively what role, if any, the Department has.”
Mr Kyne told the minister that the closure of the lane had severely impacted the local community, cutting off direct pedestrian access to Ballyloughane and the Liam Mellowes GAA grounds.
He said residents who previously walked through the area are now forced to drive, leading to increased traffic congestion and higher carbon emissions.
He suggested that Galway City Council and the Department of Defence could explore the acquisition or sale of former military property now held by the municipality, alongside the potential construction of an alternative link over the railway crossing into the Dún na Mara area.