A CHILD is going to be killed at St Dominic's Park because of a lack of car parking, borough councillors have claimed.

During a heated discussion, Cllr Imelda Munster said 'it was an accident waiting to happen' because drivers are parking illegally outside the playground, which doesn't have enough spaces.

Drogheda Borough Council has stated that the playground's ten car park spaces and its lack of toilet facilities are inadequate - but it doesn't have the money to improve the children's playground.

Responding to a motion from Cllr Matthew Coogan (SF), council officials stated 'the current car-park is not adequate to cater for the parking needs of people using the facilities, especially during good weather. The existing carpark could be extended to provide more parking spaces. However, no funding is currently available to carry out this work.'

The officials also pointed out that in the original scheme parking for 30 cars was proposed. But after the public consultation process, this was reduced to 10 and the council subsequently approved the amendment.

In the original approved scheme, toilet facilities would have been built, but these never happened. Now a lack of funding means that parents and children have to use other toilets.

'Due to a lack of foul drainage in the immediate area, the provision of toilet facilities will require a significant expenditure to connect to the drainage system.

'No funding is available to provide these facilities,' the reply continued.

It also pointed out that toilets would require ongoing maintenance which would have to be made from 'operational budgets'.

County Manager Conn Murray suggested that people could park and walk to the playground which would eliminate the illegal parking outside.

- Christine DOHERTY