Travellers' group to protest over Dublin road death

A group representing Travellers has demanded the installation of traffic lights on a section of road in Dublin where a 12-year…

A group representing Travellers has demanded the installation of traffic lights on a section of road in Dublin where a 12-year-old boy was killed last week.

Patrick Connors was struck by a car last Wednesday as he was crossing the N32 road in Coolock.

He had just returned from England to stay with his Darndale-based grandparents for Christmas.

TravAct, which represents around 120 traveller families living along the road, said the death of the young boy had been the last straw.

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"There have been loads of accidents on this road. Despite numerous written requests going back more than three years from our own Traveller representative and some local councillors we have been repeatedly told that our location does not the meet the required warranty for the installation of traffic signals," said spokesman Paddy McDonagh.

The group want traffic lights installed at the entrance to Traveller sites on the road, as well as proper landscaping of the road for improved visibility.

They intend to stand on the white line in the middle of the road today as part of their protest and traffic disruption is expected.

"This is only the start. We are holding a meeting with the council tomorrow but if we don't get action, we're going to block the road in Darndale," said Mr McDonagh.

He said the travellers also had the support of settled people in the area and added that he expected a number of them to join the protest.

The Garda this evening issued an appeal in relation to the fatal accident.

Gardaí in Malahide asked a taxi driver who assisted at the scene to come forward and said he may be in possession of "information vital to the investigation". Malahide Garda station may be contacted at 01-6664600.

The N32 runs from the end of the northbound section of the M50 motorway in Dublin to the Malahide road.

PA