Fermoy bypass road toll fees generates €19.2m for operator

A toll booth on the M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy bypass. The toll road brought in over €19.2m in toll fees for the company’s operators in 2025. Picture: Dan Linehan

The Fermoy bypass brought in over €19.2m in toll fees for the company’s operators in 2025.

Fermoy Bidco’s latest accounts reported operating profit of €5,828,326 in 2025, up slightly on 2024. Profit after tax amounted to €125,643.

Fermoy Bidco has a 75% shareholding in DirectRoute (Fermoy) Holdings Ltd, which holds the contract to operate the M8 Rathcormac/Fermoy Bypass, around 15km north of Dunkettle on the N8 Cork to Dublin road. Car users currently pay €2.30 to use the road, with motorcycles charged €1.20, buses paying €4.20, and goods vehicles paying from €4.20 to €7.50. Fermoy Bidco's turnover stood at €19,236,845 in 2025, down marginally on sales of €19,355,845 a year earlier.

There are 10 toll roads operating across Ireland's national network, with most including the Fermoy bypass working under a public private partnership model. DirectRoute (Fermoy) Holdings group was awarded the contract for the Fermoy bypass for 30 years from June 2004, with the road completed and opened to the public in October 2006. The bypass will be handed back to Transport Infrastructure Ireland at the end 2034.

In the financial report for 2025, the directors of Fermoy Bidco said they expect the general level of activity to continue for the foreseeable future. "The group is in a net liability position as at year end of €14,130,094, showing a decline from the prior year operations. Although in a net liability position, the group has a letter of support from its parent, Munster JV (to which €62,016,249 is owed), confirming that repayment of this amount will not be sought in the foreseeable future, being at least 12 months from the date of the signing of the financial statements. Additionally, the group has a strong cash position as at year end with a cash balance of €2,927,551.

"The directors have reviewed the budget for the foreseeable future and have considered the projected cash flows based on the receipts and payments of cash and expect to be in a positive net cashflow position for the next 12 months post year end, after meeting its short-term operations and financing obligations."