The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Don’t let this road claim another victim’
LOCAL WOMAN ANNETTE MANNIX DIED IN ROAD ACCIDENT AT BUSY JUNCTION THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECT OF COUNTLESS COUNCIL MEETINGS
THE sister of Killarney cyclist Annette Mannix (48) who was tragically killed in an accident at a dangerous junction on the Killarney Bypass last Wednesday evening, has called on the people of Killarney to support her plea to help make the road safer.
Speaking to The Kerryman just days after burying her sister, Suzanne Dennehy revealed that a petition initiated at her sister’s funeral already had over 450 signatures supporting her call for change at the Lewis Road junction.
“The petition was an opportunity for people impacted by deaths and incidents at the junction to have their say... I don’t want her death to have been in vain, I want it to mean something. Annette was a good person with a great heart,” an emotional Suzanne said.
Annette Mannix had taken up cycling just four weeks prior to last week’s tragic accident and planned to participate in The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. “It was her first time ever cycling for something like this and she was very determined,” Suzanne said.
THE sister of Killarney woman Annette Mannix (48) who was killed in a tragic cycling accident last Wednesday, said she doesn’t want her sister’s death to be in vain, adding that action needs to be taken with immediate effect at the dangerous Killarney junction.
Suzanne Dennehy told The Kerryman that 450 people signed a petition at Annette’s funeral demanding immediate action at the busy junction where the Lewis Road meets the N22.
“The petition was placed near the book of condolences,” an emotional Suzanne revaled.
“So many people in Killarney have been impacted by accidents at this junction and the petition was to give Killarney people the opportunity to do something.
“Hopefully, Annette’s death will not be in vain. This is the kind of issue that Annette herself would have fought for in life. The support and kindness has been phenomenal from the people of Killarney,” she added.
Annette (48) only recently joined Killarney Cycling Club and was out cycling with 20 other members at the time of the tragic incident, shortly after 7pm.
Suzanne said she is mindful of the feelings of others involved in the incident, including the driver of the tractor, and she instead focused on the dangers of a junction that has witnessed several serious accidents in recent years.
“A number of cyclists have reported this junction in the past. I wouldn’t have been hugely conscious of how dangerous it is myself while driving it. But looking at it retrospectively, it’s obvious that turning left onto Lewis Road is extremely dangerous. It’s only when something like this happens that you take notice of it.
“It’s very dangerous and very badly laid out for cyclists. Crossing over the road coming from the Tralee side is also hazardous and eventually a person will take risks trying to cross it,” Suzanne added.
Annette was a member of the local Residents Committee at St Brendan’s Terrace and she had been looking after their mother for the past three years. Suzanne said her sister had always worked towards promoting traffic safety in the area.
“Annette herself had witnessed a tragic road traffic accident in the past and it’s hard to believe that she has now been killed in one,” Suzanne added.
Annette had been travelling towards Cleeney Roundabout when the incident happened. Emergency Services rushed to attend but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Killarney Cycling Club representatives said they are devastated at her loss.
“We’re absolutely devastated for her family. Annette was very well liked and the club is deeply saddened by what has happened,” said Brendan Cassidy of Killarney Cycling Club.
The Lewis Road Junction on the N22 has witnessed a number of serious accidents over the years and has been the subject of several heated council debates at town council, municipal district and county council levels over the past decade.
Only last month, Cllr Donal Grady tabled a motion at the Killarney Municipal District meeting requesting an update on the junction. The motion read: ‘We have a duty to try to save lives and we cannot continue to accept nothing being done at this junction’.
Moreover, in April 2016, Cllr Brendan Cronin called for safety works at the junction; he said at the time: ‘I’m appealing to you please as it’s extremely dangerous – a neighbour of mine was killed there some years ago’.
Speaking to The Kerryman on Monday, Cllr Grady said this was his eighth time submitting such a motion.
“The family are good friends of mine and they’re absolutely devasted. The fire brigade are at that junction at least once every two weeks attending an accident there. I intend on being a part of any deputation to meet with the TII as I’ve been highlighting this issue for years,” Cllr Grady added.
Cllr Cronin brought an emergency motion before the chamber at Monday’s full council meeting calling for immediate action.
“It’s the first time ever in my life that I have seen a petition at a funeral. Every single person signed it.
“I’m begging KCC to facilitate this motion. We want action now and the sad reality is, not one single change has been made after all the motions put forward,” he said.
Killarney Superintendent Flor Murphy described it as a ‘very sad and tragic’ accident.