The parents of a schoolgirl who died as a result of a road traffic accident less than two weeks ago say their daughter would be alive if a footpath had been built as planned at the place the incident occurred.
More than 300 people attended a walk of remembrance yesterday for Leah Feeney (15), who was killed when struck by a passing car as she walked along the main road to Rossaveal harbour in Connemara on May 1st.
She was the third pedestrian killed on the stretch of road in the last two years.
Her family and schoolfriends were joined at the location by supporters from across Connemara yesterday as they stepped up their campaign to have improvement works carried out.
Ms Feeney's parents, Liam and Noirin Feeney, led an appeal to Galway County Council to act immediately.
“Leah’s death has been terrible for all of us. A lovely, popular young girl like Leah should not have died in this way. She would definitely be alive today if there was even a metre of a footpath there,” said Mr Feeney.
“There are bushes and hedges there that should be cut back, but you’re not allowed cut them because of rules about agriculture. But what is more important, hedges or a human life?
“We are appealing to the council, the Government, anyone, to get the footpath built now—the lighting can come later—before this happens to another family. I don’t want our daughter to die for nothing”.
Mr Feeney carried a framed photograph of Leah throughout the walk, while Mrs Feeney carried a single red rose. Leah’s schoolfrinds also carried photographs and other mementoes.