Child impaled on iron fence

Families in Corbally, Citywest, have joined forces due to the number and frequency of cars speeding through their area – and the presence of children with special needs who, living in the estate, are described as a “flight risk” by their parents. 
Despite communication with South Dublin County Council, neither of the issues have been addressed, forcing residents to take action. 
Resident and parent Jean Craig told The Echo: “I have a young boy with Down’s syndrome, and six doors down from my house lives a little boy with albinism and he is legally blind. 
“Both of these children are flight risks and if they get out the front door unnoticed will run straight onto the road – which is used all day, every day, by cars going well above the speed limit. 
“To make matters worse, cars park all along the road, so visibility is bad for drivers – with kids running out from behind parked cars. 
“We have been in touch with the council about introducing measures to calm down cars, but nothing has been done.
“With the number of kids on the roads, and those with special needs, there is an increased possibility of a very serious accident.” 
Residents are also calling on the council to remove a spiked, corrugated iron fence in their estate. 
The father of the young girl injured on the fence said: “This is the type of fence you would see in an industrial estate not a residential area. 
“My child was climbing the tree, which has an overhanging branch, when she fell and was impaled on the fence. 
“The spike went through her arm and she has been lift with a pretty horrific scar, which will require plastic surgery down the line.
“She received 10 stitches and doctors are waiting to see if there is any nerve damage.” 
He added: “This fence needs to be removed immediately. Kids, being kids, climb that tree regularly and if someone falls down on their face or neck, they won’t have a chance.” 
Independent councillor Dermot Richardson is also calling on the council to remove the fence and to introduce a blanket policy where all estates can apply to the local authority for traffic calming signs. 
Due to the non-funding of the signs by the council, Cllr Richardson and Corbally resident and DC Print owner Dave Cummins have sponsored eight signs for the estate, which will be erected in the coming weeks. 
Dave said: “These signs are a necessity and I think the council should support estates in need of them. 
“They can help to save lives and any community fighting to get signs should give me a call, I’ll do my best in assisting communities to get them made.” 
South Dublin County Council didn’t reply to The Echo in time for print