Travellers to disrupt traffic in road safety protest

Protesters are gathering today to demand the installation of traffic lights on the road where a 12-year-old Traveller was killed.

Patrick Connors was struck by a car last Wednesday as he was crossing the N32 road in Coolock in Dublin. He had just returned from England to stay with his Darndale-based grandparents for Christmas.

TravAct, which represents around 120 Traveller families living along the road, said the death of the young boy had been the last straw.

“There have been loads of accidents on this road. Despite numerous written requests going back more than three years from our own Traveller representative and some local councillors we have been repeatedly told that our “location does not the meet the required warranty for the installation of traffic signals“,” said spokesman Paddy McDonagh.

Travellers want traffic lights installed at the entrance to traveller sites on the road, as well as proper landscaping of the road for improved visibility.

They intend to stand on the white line in the middle of the road today as part of their protest and traffic disruption is expected.

However, the planned start time of 12pm may be changed if it clashes with the funeral of Patrick Connors, which is due to take place tomorrow.

“This is only the start. We are holding a meeting with the council tomorrow but if we don’t get action, we’re going to block the road in Darndale,” said Mr McDonagh.

He said the Travellers also had the support of settled people in the area and added that he expected a number of them to join the protest.