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THE life-changing implications of safe transport for children were highlighted by Killarney Gardaí during the week. Killarney Gardaí in conjunction with the Divisional Traffic Corps have developed an awareness and enforcement campaign.

This safety campaign will form part of the Killarney Garda Schools Programme which will be delivered by Garda Deirdre Quinn, Community Policing Unit, in 2018.

It was launched in Kilcummin National School and every primary school will be visited in the Killarney area by Garda Quinn.

“The initiative was developed as a result of a lack of awareness by motorists of the law surrounding this very important area that can have life-changing implications,” Sergeant Dermot O’Connell of Killarney Garda Station told Killarney Advertiser.

“It came to the fore at daily checkpoints, when gardaí observed children and infants incorrectly restrained or not using a booster seat/cushion in vehicles.

“Many motorists received fixed-charge notices; however, what became very apparent to gardaí over time was the serious lack of awareness of the law applicable to this area and the serious risks posed often fatal when children are incorrectly restrained in vehicles.”

 
Above: Darragh Fleming, Mark Fleming, Odhran O'Shea, Katie Brosnan, Supt Flor Murphy, Sgt Dermot O'Connell, Peter McCarthy, Maureen Fleming, Kilcummin NS principal Gillian Sheehan and pupils and Garda Deirdre Quinn. Pic: Dylan Clifford