Image: John Reidy
ACTION is being taken to protect young children who are in danger of being knocked down every time they make their way to and from school.
Fears have been repeatedly expressed for the safety of over 260 pupils of Firies National School and concerns have been raised by parents, teachers and the school’s board of management.
Cllr Brendan Cronin said road conditions near the school, on the busy route to Farranfore, are extremely dangerous because of a lack of footpaths.
“There are 262 pupils enrolled already and the school is extending so there will be more attending going forward. Their lives and the lives of their parents are being put at risk every time they step outside the school gate,” he told KillarneyToday.com.
Cllr Cronin said Kerry County Council has agreed to provide over 100 meters of new footpath along with three new public lights adjacent to the school, subject to funding.
The new footpath will link the national school to the junction with the Farranfore road while also linking up with the nearby Marian Hall which will ensure greater pedestrian safety.
The estimated cost of the work is €19,500 and Cllr Cronin has agreed to contribute €12,000 from his personal councillor’s allocation – over 60 per cent of the total cost – to ensure the project will be completed as quickly as possible.
He has urged the other seven councillors in the Killarney municipal area to also make a contribution from their allocations as a gesture of goodwill and to ensure child safety.
“I would ask them to come up with something. If they all contributed a small sum it could make up the €7,500 still required and it would help enormously,” Cllr Cronin said.
