Lower speed limits in all estates, urges jury

The jury at an inquest into the death of a six-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a car outside his home has recommended the introduction of a mandatory 30km/h speed limit in all housing estates.

The call was made at the inquest into the June 2014 death of Jake Brennan from Kilkenny, which heard how he lay dying in his mother’s arms moments after he was hit by a car.

The jury also called for improved signage in housing estates after it was heard that emergency services had trouble finding the cul-de-sac where Jake lived. It took the ambulance crew four minutes to drive across Kilkenny City to the estate, but a further three minutes to find his Lintown Grove home, while a garda described the area as “a maze”.