A5 Protest at Belfast Court: Families Gather After Tragic Losses

A protest happened near Belfast High Court. People challenged the A5 road upgrade plans. The A5 Enough is Enough group organized this protest and it took place on Tuesday, March 18.

Nine people against the upgrade started a legal challenge. Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure is involved. The A5 travels from Aughnacloy to Co Derry.

It is a very dangerous road in Northern Ireland. Fifty-seven people have died on this road since 2006. The road upgrade was proposed back in 2007 and the government approved it in October 2024.

Work was planned for early this year. It would expand the road from Strabane to Ballygawley. The legal challenge has delayed the work.

Órfhlaith Begley, a Sinn Féin MP, joined the protest. As the West Tyrone MP, she feels too many have died and hopes road work will start soon.

Begley said she stood with grieving families. She feels more delays bring more deaths, and building a new road is important, she added.

Begley also mentioned the road’s benefits for drivers. Local areas would see positive impacts too because it will save lives, create jobs, and cut travel times. She urged opponents to support the road.