'My car was destroyed' - Busy Irish road closed as heatwave melts tarmac and ruins tyres

A section of road between Ballygarvan and Five Mile Bridge in County Cork was closed after drivers reported damage caused by extreme heat.

Local councillor Jack White said very high temperatures caused freshly laid gravel to rise and stick to vehicles, leaving tyres and bodywork covered in tar and stones. At least one motorist said they had to buy a new tyre after using the road.

The road was closed yesterday afternoon and remained shut overnight after complaints came in from motorists. White said the council area office responded quickly after he forwarded messages from affected drivers.

He said people who were damaged on the road could contact him for help getting through to the council insurance department.

What happened

The incident affected the busy road between Ballygarvan and Five Mile Bridge, which was hit during a wider heatwave across Ireland. Temperatures were forecast to reach as high as 34C, while Met Éireann's Status Yellow High Temperature warning remained in force.

Motorists posted complaints online describing cars that had been covered in tar and stones, and saying tyres had been ruined. One driver said their car had been destroyed after using the road.

Council response

The verified reporting shows that the road was closed quickly after reports of damage, but there is still no formal public timetable for reopening.

It is also not clear whether Cork County Council has issued a detailed public statement on liability, or how many vehicles were affected in total. The main confirmed route for drivers so far is through the council insurance department.

What happens next

The key questions now are when the road will reopen, whether the surface will need further treatment, and whether the council will accept or dispute insurance claims from motorists.

The incident also raises broader concerns about road safety and maintenance during extreme weather, especially where freshly laid material softens in high temperatures.