77-year-old-woman in sit down protest at St Kevin’s Square

August 1999

A SENIOR citizen from St Kevin’s Square off Bray’s Main Street has said she is willing to go to court if it means preventing heavy goods vehicles using the cul de sac as a parking, reversing or unloading point.

Phyllis O’Brien staged a sit-down protest at the access road to St Kevin’s Square on Monday afternoon.

Mrs O’Brien was moved on by gardai who told her she could be summoned if she continued with her protest.

But the 77-year-old woman says she is concerned for the safety of young children playing on the roads of the residential cul-de-sac, and states her belief that heavy traffic should not be allowed to use the road.

She claims that heavy vehicles repeatedly parking and turning in the area has caused footpaths around the houses to sink, and says she can feel vibrations in her own home when larger lorries turn into the square.

‘I’ve collected over 100 signatures from the residents of St Kevin’s Square and James Connolly square, and we would like the urban council to put a sstop to heavy traffic coming into this area.

‘It’s a cul de sac and children are playing here all the time,’ she said.

The wrath of Phyllis and other residents in the area is not solely focussed on heavy vehicles – they are also alarmed, given the number of children who play in the square, at cars which zip into the square and use it to reverse and turn at high speed.

‘Every time I hear the screech of a vehicle’s brakes, my heart sinks because I think a child has been hit by a car. I honestly believe that if something is not done soon, a child will be killed,’ she said.

‘I am an old woman but I’m very determined to get this stopped.

‘It’s the children I am worried qabout. Even if I am summoned, perhaps if I go to the court I can present my evidence and photographs and judge can make a sensible decision,’ said Phyllis.

Phyllis’ protest comes just months after Bray Urban District Council agreed to introduce weight restrictions on traffic using the cul de sac for parking and turning.