By-pass boost for All-Ireland fans
Thousands of GAA fans from the North received a welcome boost tonight with the news that their road to the All-Ireland finals will be thrown open early after a personal intervention by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Mr Ahern ordered the early opening of the M1 Dundalk Western By--pass in response to calls from politicians and supporters’ groups.
The move will mean shortened journey times for fans who are travelling from counties Tyrone and Down to see their teams take part in the Senior and Minor Gaelic Football Finals at Croke Park on Sunday.
“I have directed that the Dundalk Western By-pass should be opened on Sunday morning to accommodate the thousands of people from Northern Ireland who will be travelling to the games in Dublin,” Mr Ahern said.
“The new 11km stretch of motorway, which has just been completed by the Celtic Roads Group four months ahead of schedule, will be opened at 8am (subject to final safety checks) and remain open until after midnight to allow for the return journey by supporters from the match.”
Supporters and politicians from Northern Ireland had appealed for the road to be opened one day early so they could avoid a notorious traffic bottleneck in Dundalk.
The official opening of the new by-pass, which will relieve the traffic congestion in the town of Dundalk and complete another stage in the Belfast to Rosslare Euroroute, will go ahead as planned at 10am on Monday morning.
Mr Ahern said: “I hope that this sensible decision will make the journey easier for the thousands of loyal Tyrone and Down supporters who are travelling on Sunday.
“I wish all the teams the best of luck and I know they will provide us with an excellent display of football on the day.”
