Call for investment in 'tourist artery' after bus accident near Clonmacnoise

No one was seriously injured in a road accident involving a school bus ferrying students to Gallen Community School in Ferbane on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred at Monks Hill – on the route to Clonmacnose – prompting local councillor, Hughie Egan to call for investment in the road.

"This is an important tourism route carrying over 133,000 visitors each year to the monastic site at Clonmacnoise and it needs investment," said Cllr Egan.

He said he had brought the matter to the attention of Birr area engineer, John Mitchell, who would inspect the road in the near future.

The Doon-based councillor said the condition of the road had been raised with him on numerous times during this year's local election campaign.

Cllr Egan praised the response of paramedics and the Gardai to Tuesday morning's accident and said students had been treated at Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe.

"It was lucky that no one received major injuries," pointed out the Fine Gael public representative.