Westport councillors told council looking to get lollipop person for busy school crossing

A SENIOR official with Mayo County Council says they are trying to come to a resolution in order to install a new lollipop person in Westport but stressed the absence of one is not due to budgetary matters.

The removal of the school traffic warden service in Westport by Mayo County Council at the start of this school year has raised concerns from the parents of the children attending both Scoil Phádraig and Holy Trinity National Schools located on the Newport Road.

The matter was raised at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District where Westport councillors called for the reinstallment of the lollipop person.

“It has become a death trap,” said Cllr Brendan Mulroy. “I have heard the excuses but there should be no excuses. 

“The lollipop man has been there since I was a child and that is a long time ago. I don't know how in the name of God they can take this person out at this moment in time and health and safety goes out the window. I want that person installed straight away. Something needs to happen as soon as possible,” he said.

Independent councillor John O'Malley said he could not believe the council took away the lollipop man and claimed it has become a death trap.

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“There are cars parked across the road and up the road and it is a deathtrap for children. They dashed out which is the nature of children and someone is going to get hurt. It is very serious that the lollipop man was taken away,” he said.

Head of the Municipal District, Seamus Ó Mongáin said there were a 'combination of factors' for the absence of a lollipop man and they are 'exploring where to get an additional person to do that work'. 

When pressed on the factors associated with the absence of the lollipop person, Mr Ó Mongáin said he was prepared to discuss them openly in the meeting.

Cllr Mulroy then questioned him if 'things are so bad at the moment that we cannot protect the children who cross the road'. 

“If there are problems with the budget then tell us,” he asked.

However, Mr Ó Mongáin reassured the councillors that it was not a budgetary matter.

Cllr O'Malley added that the absence of a lollipop man was causing issues for people at the school and wanted it resolved soon.

“There is no point doing something about it when a child gets hurt or an elderly person. There were some accidents even when there was a lollipop man down there and it is a very serious situation and needs to be addressed immediately,” said the Carrowholly-based councillor.

When asked by Cllr Peter Flynn, the Cathaoirleach of the municipal district, if there was likely to be a resolution 'sooner rather than later', Mr Ó Mongáin replied that is what they are trying to do at the moment.