Government will not oppose Bill for speed limits of 20km/h

The Government says it will not oppose a Bill to reduce speed limits from 50km/h to 20km/h in residential areas.

Roseann Brennan has been holding a three-night vigil in the bitter cold and rain outside Leinster House until Wednesday evening at 6.25pm, the time her son Jake Brennan died on June 12th last year, in a bid to get the speed reduced.

Ms Brennan said six-year-old Jake died her arms after he was hit by a car near her home in Co Kilkenny.

The goal of Mr Brennan’s campaign – Jake’s Legacy – is to convince the Government to change the speed limit to a mandatory 20km/h in public and private housing estates.

“The Minister spoke to me this morning (Tuesday) but he was not clear whether or not the 20km/h would be mandatory. I’m tired and missing my babies, and missing calling up to Jakey’s grave, but I’m sticking this out. It can’t just be put on the long finger. I wont give up until this is set in legislation,” she said.

Ms Brennan said it was difficult sleeping on the footpath, but she was encouraged by more than 7,000 signatures on a petition she put up on Monday.

A spokesman for Minister for Transport Paschal Donohue said, although the Government would not oppose the Sinn Fein's bill, it was the responsibility of local authorities to set speed limits.

“The Minister is not opposed, in principle, to the application of 20km/h speed limits in residential areas, where it is appropriate.

However, he will seek advice on the practicalities and implications of applying 20km/h limits before committing to the bill’s provisions or making amendments at later stages,” he said.