Waterford woman says something needs to be done before a child is killed

A Waterford woman has staged a campaign to highlight what she, and others in her community, feel is an issue that could result in a someone being seriously injured or worse in their village.

Roísín McDonagh, who is originally from Dunmore East, is a resident in the Ballygunner area of County Waterford.

On the morning of Wednesday, April 2, she began a campaign which saw her stand at the zebra crossing in the village complete with a placard highlighting the fact the traffic calming measure is there.

Speaking to Waterford News & Star she said she was inspired to start the campaign because of something she herself experienced on Tuesday morning, April 1.

"The cars just don't slow down like they should and someone is going to be seriously injured or worse," she said.

"I had a very close experience myself with a car and there are others who have had similar and I just think something needs to be done," she added.

While Roísín said she hasn't yet talked to Waterford City & County Council about the issue she said she wanted to bring the matter to their attention through her campaign. However, the more immediate impact she hopes to have is to make motorists aware that the zebra crossing is there and for them to slow down accordingly.

"Cars just speed through the village and they just don't slow down," she said.

The zebra crossing in question is used by a lot of people every day including a large number of children who attend local schools and a Montessori.

It's located outside the church but Roísín said one of the issues is that it needs to be more visible.

"That's what I'd like the Council to look at," she said.

"Ways of making it more visible so that all motorists are aware that it's there and of the need to slow down," she added.

"I'm just afraid that a child is going to be seriously injured trying to cross over or worse, if they get hit by a car."

Roísín said she's afraid to let her own children use the zebra crossing on their own now to ensure they remain safe.

She will also be talking about the issue this morning with Damien Tiernan on WLR radio.