Child 'nearly killed' in Laois housing estate

A SAFETY barrier will be installed in a local housing estate, after a complaint that a child was “nearly killed” after running onto a busy road.

Cllr Aisling Moran raised concern at a council meeting regarding the pedestrian entrance to Doirin Álainn in Ballylinan, following a near miss involving a child.

“The entrance is going directly onto the road and kids are running out, so a safety barrier is needed. A child lately went out and was nearly killed stone dead,” cllr Moran told the latest meeting of Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District.

The Independent councillor proposed that the county council install a safety barrier at the pedestrian entrance to the estate, together with double yellow lines on the adjacent road. The proposal was seconded by cllr Pádraig Fleming.

Cllr Moran said that minor but effective additional safety measures are needed in a number of developments involving approved housing bodies, including Doirin Álainn.

The 21-unit estate at Rahin, Ballylinan, just off the main road on the Carlow side of the town, was developed in partnership with Laois County Council by approved housing body North and East Housing Development. It was officially opened nearly two years ago by then-housing minister Darragh O’Brien.

In response to cllr Moran’s proposal, senior engineer Philip McVeigh said the pedestrian entrance to Doirin Álainn has been inspected by county council staff.

He confirmed that the council “will arrange to have this safety barrier and adjacent road markings installed”.