Fine Gael councillor leads push for 30km/h safety measures around city schools

periodic 30km/h limits around St Nessan’s National School, Gaelscoil Raithín, LETS Educate Together, and Mungret Community College.

FINE Gael councillor Daniel Butler is leading efforts to improve road safety around schools with a number of important 30km/h speed-limit measures included in Limerick’s Special Speed Limit Review.

The proposals include periodic 30km/h limits around St Nessan’s National School, Gaelscoil Raithín, LETS Educate Together, and Mungret Community College.

These periodic limits would apply during school drop-off and collection times only, when roads around schools are at their busiest and there are increased numbers of children, pedestrians, parents and vehicles.

At Ballybrown National School, a permanent 30 km/h speed limit is proposed. Further measures include a proposed 30km/h limit in the Mungret Village core.

A reduced speed limit on Upper Dooradoyle Road from the junction with Churchill Meadows is also being considered.

At An Mhodhscoil, a 30km/h limit may also be introduced if a decision is taken to extend the existing 30km/h speed limit from O’Connell Avenue.

Cllr Butler told the Limerick Post that he has been working on this issue because he believes all roads around schools need to be made safer.

“As a local councillor and as a parent of a child attending school locally, I understand the concerns of parents and families about safety around our schools,” Cllr Butler explained.

“The proposed periodic 30km/h limits are a practical measure focused specifically on school drop-off and collection times, when these areas are at their busiest. This is about improving safety for children, parents, staff, pedestrians and all road users.

“It is particularly welcome to see a permanent 30km/h limit proposed for Ballybrown National School, while there is also an opportunity to extend the 30 km/h zone towards An Mhodhscoil.”

The City West representative is now asking local schools, parents associations and parents to support these proposals and make a submission to the consultation. A strong community response, he said, will help demonstrate the importance of these measures.

“The intention is that the necessary signage could be in place by March 2027, subject to the consultation and approval process,” he said.

Cllr Butler is encouraging residents to take part in the Special Speed Limit Review – Draft Bye-Laws 2026 and support the proposed measures. The maps are available to view online at mypoint.limerick.ie and SpeedLimits.ie.