Campaign to have bypass named in memory of Dungiven man

The family of a County Derry man who passed away in 2018 have launched a campaign calling for the Dungiven Bypass to be named after him.

Dungiven man Vincent Gallagher had campaigned for a bypass of the North Derry town for many years and was a member of the Dungiven Bypass Committee which was set up by local residents.

Sadly, Mr Gallagher passed away in October 2018 and never got to see construction begin on the bypass which is set to open this year.

Now, Vincent's family are hoping that the bypass, or part of it, will be officially named after him to 'honour his memory'.

Mr Gallagher's daughter Jacinta Ryan said her father, who lived on the town's Main Street, campaigned tirelessy over the years.

“He was involved from the very beginning in 2008, campaigning for the work to start on the bypass,” explained Ms Ryan.

“He attended a public meeting in the town with local politicians and presented a bottle of black water that he collected after washing his windows.

"This was to visualise the pollution from the fumes of the passing traffic. It was this act that caught the attention of the public, the papers and the politicians and started off the talks to go ahead with the bypass.”

Vincent fell ill in January 2018 and was too sick to attend the official sod cutting for the new bypass later that year.

“He was very vocal on the fact that living on the Main Street and the amount of traffic was having a serious impact on his health and the other residents at the time,” continued Jacinta.

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“Sadly he took sick in January 2018 with a brain tumour and died in October that year so he did not live to see it.

“He was asked by the Causeway Coast and Glens Mayor at the time, Brenda Chivers, to attend the cutting of the soil on 26th of September 2018 but he was too sick then to attend.”

She added: “We would like to honour his memory and ask that the bypass or some part of it be named after him.”

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Kathleen McGurk said her party had approached the Department for Infrastructure last year requesting that they consider naming a roundabout or bridge after Mr Gallagher.

“DfI insisted that it wasn’t possible due to the fact the road signs had already been ordered and out into production a year in advance,” said Councillor McGurk.

“We are continuing to pursue it however and we will support the family in their campaign as we recognise the unique role that Vincent played in seeing the bypass come to fruition.

"He campaigned tirelessly for almost 50 years and certainly deserves to be recognised,” she added.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter has also backed the Gallagher family's campaign.

“Everyone in our community is aware of the tireless efforts Vincent Gallagher put into campaigning for the Dungiven bypass to benefit people living in our area.

"I’m delighted that as a result of the efforts of campaigners like Vincent we are now close to seeing this project completed,” she said.

“I have passed on the Gallagher family’s request to have part of the bypass named after Vincent to the Department for Infrastructure and will continue to liaise with the family going forward.

"My thoughts are with the Gallagher family and I hope that seeing this project Vincent fought so hard for coming to fruition brings them some comfort.”

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