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Fr. Michéal Mannion from the parish of Westport, Co. Mayo blesses the road to raise local awareness of road safety and the grief associated with loss of life and serious injury caused by road accidents. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

Roads in Mayo get prayers and blessings in a bid to reduce road deaths

The ceremonies will take place at all Catholic and Church of Ireland churches in the county on Sunday.

THE ROADS IN County Mayo will be blessed this week in what Mayo County Council describe as a “novel ceremony” aimed at reducing the number of people who die in traffic accidents each year.

A special ‘blessing of the roads ceremony’ will take place in most parishes and services throughout the county on Easter Sunday as religious leaders back the campaign to make the roads safer, said the council.

The ceremony, which will place at all Catholic and Church of Ireland churches on Sunday is being promoted by the Road Safety office of Mayo County Council.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer for Mayo County Council said that the blessing of roads also takes place in Australia in a bid to raise awareness of road safety, adding that this year, they were introducing the initiative to Mayo.

Gibbons added that six people were killed on Mayo’s roads last year. The total so far this year is three.

He added:

The community makes improved road safety a goal in an effort to ensure that the grief associated with loss of life, or serious injury, does not come to them.

“There are still too many drivers under the impression that an accident won’t happen to them,” he said.

Chief Superintendent O’Brien said the gardaí are appealing for all road users to be safe this weekend on the roads.

Tuam Archdiocese spokesperson Father Fintan Monaghan said the church was “fully behind the campaign. We all need to play our part to reduce the number of road deaths”.

Read:  Gardaí have issued 45,000 penalty points notices this year>

Read:  Road deaths falling in Europe – but up 19 per cent in Ireland>

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125 Comments
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    Mute Inanimate Carbon Rod
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:31 AM

    This announcement won’t matter to the 12% on our roads with no insurance

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    Mute Conor Heffernan
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    Oct 16th 2017, 11:23 AM

    @Inanimate Carbon Rod: everyone has insurance it’s just 12% don’t pay for it!

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    Mute Dáithí Ó Raghallaigh
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:26 AM

    Sure you can drive, but your action might just put first respondents at risk. half the foools in Waterford will be on the prom in Tramore today watching the waves wash over the prom

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    Mute ""
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:49 AM

    Is there no personal responsibility anymore?

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    Mute Damian Donlon
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:59 AM

    @”": Now now.

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    Mute Reg
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:30 AM

    Some idiot told me on the Internet so it must be true!

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    Mute Geoff Bateman
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    Oct 16th 2017, 3:35 PM

    Ohoh, watch the price of car insurance rise hugely during the next 12 months

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Oct 16th 2017, 10:24 AM

    It’s grand as long as you don’t do something stupid like drive to a peir to have a look normal driving Is covered even if non essential

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    Mute informationdose
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    Feb 4th 2018, 1:29 PM

    Everyone loves it when individuals get together and share opinions. Great website, continue the good work!

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    Mute Christy Pop
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    Oct 16th 2017, 1:26 PM

    act of god,they wont pay out

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    Mute Jeanette McDonald
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    Oct 16th 2017, 3:55 PM

    Not true

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    Mute Daniel Ganiev
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    Oct 17th 2017, 10:52 AM

    Why would you ever drive during ophelia hurricane its just mad and you can get killed and plus people of 12% dont pay for insurance

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