Family members of some of those killed in traffic crashes on the State’s roads yesterday asked motorists to do all in their power to prevent further deaths and serious injuries in the run-up to Christmas.
To mark World Remembrance Day, the Road Safety Authority has developed a “Wall of Remembrance” on its Facebook page. The wall invites people to share memories, light a virtual candle and leave a memorial message for a loved one killed or seriously injured on our roads. Since it was set up last year, more than 600 people have posted messages.
At functions across the country, parents and other family members spoke movingly of how deaths and life-changing injuries have affected them.
Cork woman Kathleen Kirby, who lost sons Paul (20) and David (18), said Christmas was one of the “hardest times of the year”, after she attended a memorial Mass in the city.
“My two boys were just a mile and a half away from home. Be really careful. Slow down,” she said, addressing her words in particular to young men whom she said were being “killed by the dozen”.
Speaking earlier in Dublin, Marjorie Flood, who lost her son Mark nearly five years ago, said her family did not get over the sudden loss of their son and brother. Mark was 19 when he was killed after a night out in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.
“The hardest thing is when people ask you how many children you have,” said Marjorie. “I reply that I have three boys, but the next question is what are they doing now and I don’t know what to say.”
In Dublin on Friday, the group Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Care on our Roads launched Finding Your Way, a guide for families of those killed or injured.
The RSA said 23,227 people have been killed on the State’s roads since records began – the population of a medium-sized town. The Garda said that this year 149 families have lost a family member on the roads.
