Caragh Bridge should be opened 'as soon as physically possible'

Historic Caragh Bridge should be re-opened as soon as physically possible, a councillor said.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys has finally given approval to Kildare Co Council for specialist works to begin on Monday.

However it may still be early November before the route is fully opened again to traffic.

An online petition calling for the urgent repair of the bridge has attracted hundreds of signatures in recent days.

The national monument, which was built in 1656, was damaged on August 22 and has been closed ever since.

Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon said: " It had originally been estimated that the bridge would remain closed until December, this is now moved back to November and I will continue to work to get it opened as soon as physically possible."