A MOTHER WHO lost her son after he was hit by a car is calling for the government to bring in lower speed limits in housing estates.

Jake Brennan died when he was hit by a car outside his home in Kilkenny last year. He was just 6 years old.

His mother Roseanne is campaigning for The Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2015 – known as Jake’s Law to be introduced.

The legislation proposes to lower speed limits to 20 kilometres per hour in residential areas.

Speaking to Sean O’Rouke on RTÉ Radio 1 last week she said that Jake died in her arms:

I’m happy he had his last moments with me but no mother ever thinks when she holds her baby for the first time that he will die in her arms.

“I’m doing this for Jake and I’m doing this for my other two kids too.”

The bill is due to be debated and voted on in the Dail this week. Roseanne is planning to camp outside the Dáil until Wednesday.

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald said, “As a mother I can’t comprehend the tragedy that has befallen the Brennan family with the loss of young Jake.

The Jake’s Legacy campaign is a credit to Jake’s parents Rosie and Chris and to the wider family and their supporters.

“To pick themselves up and campaign for a law that would help prevent another family from going through their trauma is an extremely courageous thing to do and I commend them for it.”