Almost €375k paid out for damage caused by potholed roads in Cork since 2021

Figures released by Cork County Council show that 1,667 claims were made by motorists which resulted in a combined payout of €373,324 between 2021 and last year. File Picture: Andy Gibson.

Almost 1,700 motorists who have damaged their cars on potholed roads in Cork have claimed an average of €224 each from the local authority’s insurers in the past five years.

Figures released by the county council show that 1,667 claims were made by motorists which resulted in a combined payout of €373,324 between 2021 and last year.

The breakdown shows the number of claims have increased since 2021, when there were 242 made with a total payout of €44,363. In 2023, the number rose dramatically to 515 — with the payout soaring to €121,356.

Payouts remained high again the next year, with a total of €103,458 paid out to 360 individual motorists. There were 345 claims in 2025 totalling €63,304.

The cost of tyres is increasing with larger cars on the road, and it is understood that damage to wheel rims and suspensions formed some of the claims.

'Robust' investigation

The information was provided by senior council official Niall Healy, a divisional manager, who was formerly in charge of the council’s roads and transportation directorate.

“There is a robust and rigorous investigation into each claim," Mr Healy said.

"It should be noted these claims are not paid out directly by Cork County Council, but by our insurers, Irish Public Bodies, as they are covered under our public liability insurance policy,” Mr Healy said.

Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who had requested the information, had also asked for a breakdown of the claims in each of the county’s eight municipal districts, but did not receive it.

“In 2024 and 2025, something happened as there is only 15 claims more in 2024, yet the cost is €40,000 more, so this needs to be explained,” he said.

Ms Rasmussen said he is planning also to ask what’s the criteria for making a claim as he has dealt with people who’ve got nowhere with them.

“My understanding was if a pothole was filled, reopened, and a puncture or damage occurred due to this reopening, then a claim may be successful,” he said.