Dangerous driving through church car park taking short cut

DANGEROUS driving through a church carpark has forced a parish to take action.

St Mary’s Church in Lucan have closed a barrier on one side of their carpark in an effort to protect parishioners from motorists using the amenity as a rat run.

The parish made the decision to close the barrier on the Chapel Hill side of the carpark, which also has an entrance on Lucan Road.

“It has come to our attention that some people are driving very dangerously through our church car park, taking a short cut to get down Chapel Hill,” said a public notice by St Mary’s parish.

“In the interest of health and safety, the barrier at the entrance to the carpark from  Chapel Hill is closed permanently now.”

St Mary’s Church is located in a busy area, beside a cluster of schools and within walking distance of Lucan Village.

With parking at a premium, parishioners are finding it increasingly difficult to secure a parking place near St Mary’s Church.

As a result of this, the parish are currently looking into the possibility of managing the carpark.

“Because of the problem with all day parking, and parishioners having difficulty in parking, the parish is currently exploring all options in relation to having the carpark managed and monitored, including clamping of cars parked after 11am each day i.e. within 30 minutes of daily Mass,” said St Mary’s.