A Cratloe father says he fears that lives could be lost if improved road safety measures aren’t put in place outside the local national school.
It comes after Padraig Collins’ daughter Eabha was hit by a car.
On a dark, wet, winter night last year, Padraig Collins, his wife and three children arrived at Cratloe National School for a parent-teacher meeting.
But while the children were crossing the road, where parked cars were skewing their vision, his 13-year-old daughter Eabha got hit by a car.
She wasn’t seriously injured, and Padraig says he does not blame the driver in any way.
But he says they feared their biggest nightmare had come true.
Padraig is now leading calls for a pedestrian crossing to be installed at the school entrance, as well as measures to prevent cars from parking along the busy road there.
Over 300 pupils attend St John’s National School in Cratloe and principal Susan Farley says there has been a number of near misses there in the past.
The matter has been raised by local councillors including Pat O’Gorman, who is backing the call for enhanced road safety measures.
The Council has committed to carrying out a study to determine whether the location is suitable for a pedestrian crossing, while it will also look into upgrading road markings and lighting, once funding is available.
Councillor O’Gorman says he’s confident the safety measures will be installed.
