A call for road tolls to be suspended for next Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC final between Cork and Clare has been rejected.

Fine Senator Tim Lombard called for barriers to be lifted on the M7/M8 tolls after thousands of Cork and Limerick fans endured long delays outside Portlaoise before their All-Ireland semi-final. However, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has ruled out such a move.

The Cork-based Senator said: “It was chronic at the Laois toll plaza and thousands suffered major delays as a result of the bottleneck. Many turned off the motorway and travelled other routes to try and make the game on time.

“Thankfully, there were no reports of collisions last Sunday, given the huge volume of traffic and the congestion on the motorway, but steps must be taken to ensure safe, free flowing traffic for the final. The toll could be made free, and all barriers lifted for traffic northbound from 10am until 2:30pm to allow fans to get to Croke Park, and then again from 5:30pm until 10.30pm to allow southbound fans a quicker journey back home.

“Given the All-Ireland hurling final is once again an all-Munster affair with supporters travelling from Cork and Clare, we can expect the same traffic congestion with in excess of 82,000 supporters travelling to Croke Park.

“MidLink need to guarantee Cork and Clare supporters they will not only get to the All-Ireland final on time, but also that they can expect to be back home at a reasonable time after the match, by opening the toll barriers."

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