Oil refinery villagers in Midleton fear major accident

Villagers close to the country’s main oil terminal want a plan, approved six years ago, to be implemented amid fears of a potential major accident.

A deputation from Whitegate near Midleton, brought their concerns to an East Cork Municipal District meeting. The village’s mayoral representative, Martin Murray, described the main street as “a dangerous, out of control, speed track” due to an alleged combination of speeding, heavy vehicles, haphazard parking and an increasing population.

Mayor Murray said over 300 trucks travel the route day and night, sharing the road with an increasing number of private and other commercial vehicles, even causing sleep deprivation for locals.