Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has welcomed the funding promise from the Irish government towards the upgrade of the A5.

His comments come as government pledged approximately €600m towards the project, which has previously seen funding from Dublin removed during the recession.

Teachta Kenny said:

“First and foremost, my thoughts today are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives on this treacherous road, and for whom this funding promise has come too late.

“I hope that the promise of funding towards the upgrade can provide them with some solace that the upgrade is a step closer.

“My colleagues in Dublin and in the north have been calling on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to reaffirm the state’s commitment to funding the upgrade for some time now. Today’s announcement of a €600m towards the upgrade is very much welcomed on both sides of the border today.

“It is vital that this project now proceeds at pace, given the rate at which people across our communities are losing their lives when travelling on this road.”