Father who lost son in hit-and-run renews appeal for speedbumps in Limerick estate

LIMERICK City and County Council has said it would look to put in temporary traffic calming measures in an estate if the need arises.

It comes after a father, who lost his youngest son in a hit-and-run incident almost 30 years ago, renewed his appeal for speed ramps where it happened in Moyross.

Thomas Moloney Sr, who lives in Cosgrave Park, said the speed ramps on the road have been flattened since work commenced on one of the area’s housing projects which he says has now been completed.

After initially raising the issue last year, he says the ramps have still not been replaced, sparking fears of more accidents in the area.

He had campaigned with the late Limerick TD Jim Kemmy for these measures, following the death of his son Alan, who was aged 11.

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“I have great concerns for the safety of people crossing the road in Moyross. The speed ramps were removed over two years ago while building was being done, which now has been completed in Delmege Park,” he said.

At the moment, Mr Moloney said, the crossing without any speed ramps resembles “a death trap” and is “a huge threat to all using the road particularly elderly and children crossing the road.”

As before, he said, he has come forward so people never have to experience the grief he and his wife Kathleen did at the loss of their son so young.

Mr Moloney still lives opposite the site where the tragedy occurred and says it haunts him every time he sees it.

The removal of the speed ramps was done in order to facilitate heavy goods vehicles using the building sites.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said temporary speed ramps can be installed as needed, subject to a survey justifying this.

“The installation of two speed ramps on the road in the vicinity of the school and church in Moyross has been completed. There are also plans to upgrade that whole section of Moyross Avenue to tie into the Coonagh/Knockalisheen Distributor Road in 2024,” the spokesperson added.