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Dear Editor,
I have on previous occasions highlighted the dangers of the daily constant traffic influx that attends a local Gaelscoil on the Cappagh Road here in Galway. Alas the whole matter has now become even more dangerous.
The council officials have not stepped in, the local gardaí seem rather un-informed and unfortunately un-interested. What these drivers don't seem to acknowledge is this area, where they daily, up to six or seven times a day, drive into, is our home.
My son has a right to play here. I have a right to carry out my home tasks. We have a right to safety and respect. This is the home my son has been born into/grown up in and we actually have to literally set a time-table in order that we remain indoors in safety to avoid the very real dangers of the traffic on our door-step.
Since I last wrote about this matter, my little boy has witnessed his mother being struck by one such vehicle not even in road but literally on top of the gate entrance to our home. The driver, a parent doing one such pick up/drop off run was responsible. He claimed that he did not see me, but had 'seen me let go of my child's hand onto the foot-path'! That speaks for itself!
The school has intentions of applying for an extension. Where will that extra traffic influx go? There are visual deterrents placed daily by the school and by ourselves here in order to deter the traffic entering the area. The area in this matter is not a main through road or accessible to any other area; it is in fact a cul-de-sac that is housing four homes, three of which are adapted for people requiring wheel-chair access. Yet the council has neglected to put anything in place to notify these drivers of such information here. We don't even have a sign for name/cul-de-sac/no through road/residents parking only/wheel-chair access only. In fact nothing! And yes, we have indeed campaigned/requested such items to please be put in to effect before, God forbid, worse happens here.
Our lives and our children's lives are being put at risk every single day. Meanwhile, could the drivers involved in the said school drops-offs/pick ups please for God's sake leave our homes alone and give us the peace and respect we deserve, just as they have, I am sure at their own homes. If anybody wishes to know what this is like to live with, I have no problem in allowing them to live in my home for one week during school term! Then let's see how they view it after that.
Thank you again for the time and space to allow this matter be aired.
Yours sincerely,
Very concerned and fearful resident and parent
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