Residents believe "it's only a matter of time before someone gets killed" outside Waterford school

Following an incident in the John's Park area of Waterford City where two young boys were believed to have been hit by a car, locals have slammed traffic management in the area as "an absolute joke."

The latest incident happened on Friday morning, September 13 outside Scoil Lorcáin, where emergency services were quick to the scene. 

Speaking to the Waterford News & Star, adjacent to the location where two young boys and a car were involved in a collision, but thankfully not seriously injured, local Seán Fitzgerald gave an account of how incidents of a similar nature happen more often than they should. 

Mr Fitzgerald, as a concerned resident, said that earlier that morning while he was driving, he too could've easily ended up in a collision: "I was dropping my wife to work, and there was a girl who ran straight out in front of me with her brother. She was only maybe fifth or sixth class, and he was younger again, so it's only matter of time before someone really gets hurt."

"Traffic is just an absolute joke in the mornings and drivers are parking up on top of you, blocking you from going in or out of your house," continued Mr Fitzgerald. 

"The drivers just don't care. It's only matter of time before someone gets killed on the road," he added. 

Mr Fitzgerald said something needs to change and suggested a one way system may reduce risks to drivers and pedestrians. 

Another local resident pointed out to this publication where other children had been injured in the last few years. This resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she remembered the incidents "so clearly", and added: "Can you imagine getting that phone call as a parent if you weren't with your child?"

"The incidents, they're all recent enough, and there's still nothing put in place. It's shocking," she said. 

Hazel Cleary, who relies on a walker for mobility, said she has had major issues with cars being abandoned on footpaths, which puts her in a dangerous situation having to dismount from the path, and walk on the road to get around the cars. 

Thankfully, it's believed the two young boys involved in the latest incident, although taken to hospital by the emergency services, were not seriously injured. The road was reopened a short time after.