By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-06 13:46:18 | Updated at 2026-10-07 19:44:56
1 day ago
The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland has given the green light for the nation's largest road project following years of legal battles.
The Court has ruled that a road upgrade on the A5 can proceed in its current form, after years of legal battles that delayed the £1.7billion project.
Ministers in Stormont first gave approval to the 58-mile proposed scheme in 2024, but it was paused by the High Court last year.
It stated that the Department for Infrastructure's plans did not meet climate change targets following a challenge from residents and farmers.
The A5 scheme is Northern Ireland's largest ever road project and will go ahead following the latest Court of Appeal decision in Belfast.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she was determined to see the road project go ahead, and was present in court earlier today, PA reported.
Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan delivered a judgment which overturned a previous ruling by the High Court on all grounds in a victory for the Government.
She said: "Suffice to say the approach to this litigation adopted by the relevant departments has, in our view, been unsatisfactory and caused delay.
The Court of Appeal quashed a delay to the significant A5 road upgrade
PA
"Whilst we asked for an explanation as to how this came about, the response we received does not satisfy us that full thought was given to this case at the appropriate stages."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the legal decision, adding that the Irish Government had supported the project.
He has guaranteed a funding commitment of €600million (£509million) to the A5 upgrade, with the whole project expected to cost £1.7billion.
Mr Martin said: "An upgraded road to the North-West will not only improve road safety but also bring economic and social benefits to people living along its route in Tyrone and Derry and in connecting counties such as Monaghan, and Donegal in particular.
"Road safety is a key concern, and too many lives have been lost in tragic circumstances along the A5 over the years."
The A5 has been identified as a hotspot for road traffic accidents in recent years, with more than 50 deaths since 2006.
Proposals put forward in 2007 suggested that the road could be turned into a dual carriageway, although legal challenges have caused lengthy delays.
Campaign group Enough is Enough has welcomed the decision for the project to go ahead, but said there was no cause for celebration.
A5 campaigners stood outside Laganside Courts in Belfast, where the Court of Appeal ruled on the Stormont legal challenge to block the A5 road upgrade
PA
Speaking outside court, Niall McKenna said: "Our campaign was all about saving lives. It was certainly not to win court cases. But at the moment, I do feel a sense of pride.
"I feel a sense of pride of our senior counsel, Stephen Toal, whose arguments were so accepted, particularly around the area of human rights.
"But I say it's not a time for celebration, and my most pride is for the people who stand behind me, the families of victims of the A5, almost 60, in the 20 years that this road was supposed to have been delivered, and it's too late for those people.
"Their loved ones are already gone, but they have campaigned tirelessly to make sure that no other families have to suffer the pain that they've went through. Thank you."
