A group representing people who have lost loved ones in fatal traffic collisions has called on the Minister of Transport to "leave families alone to grieve at the roadside".
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department of Transport's policy for local authorities says memorials are not allowed on motorways, dual carriageways and roads with a speed limit over 60km/h.
The TII has confirmed that the policy came into effect in October this year.
"There was no standard for the Local Authority to reference across the network before October 2025," it said.
The founder of PARC called on the minister to make a "clear statement" on the changes and criticised the lack of engagement with families.
Susan Gray said she first heard of the changes yesterday.
Ms Gray said the "total lack of engagement" is "extremely painful" for her as her husband died in a road collision on 27 December 2004.
"It’s unbelievable that I had to hear this through a phone call with the media," she said.
"They should never have put this plan on paper anyway."
"It’s heart wrenching," she said. "It couldn’t come at a worse time."
She said a road memorial for her husband is of "great comfort to us".
Ms Gray said memorials also remind people that there was a fatal crash on a road and to "be careful".
"It reminds them of what can happen," she said.
She called on the minister to clarify to families that existing memorials will not be removed.
"They have to clear this up ASAP because we don’t know what to tell people.
"It’s wrong in every sense of the world."
Roadside memorials 'deeply personal'
Chairperson of the Transport Committee Michael Murphy said he also only learned of the policy yesterday from the media.
Both Mr Murphy and Ms Gray did not know the date the policy was issued.
"I just didn’t see it coming," said Mr Murphy.
He said his own local authority in Tipperary is still showing the previous guidelines on their websites.
He said the plan needs to be considered in more detail and raised "serious questions" over families being left in the dark.
"Roadside memorials are deeply personal and emotional markers of loss," said the Fine Gael TD.
"They are expressions of grief and remembrance by families whose lives have been shattered by road tragedies."
Mr Murphy said the memorials mark a place where a family’s life "changed forever".
He recognised that "road safety must always be paramount".
However, he said a blanket ban "removes discretion, compassion and local understanding".
He said it was regrettable that the policy has come to light in the run-up to Christmas.
"For many, grief is already heightened at this time of year, and the anxiety and uncertainty this created for families with existing memorials is upsetting," he said.
He said families have been contacting him, worried they will have to remove existing memorials.
RTÉ News has contacted the Department of Transport for comment.
