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'God, it's so hard': Jake Brennan's mother speaks out on his first anniversary

“We’re missing a precious, precious little boy.”
My baby flew up in the air and I knew by the height he went like that, that was it … God, it’s so hard.

THIS FRIDAY MARKS the first anniversary of Jake Brennan. The six-year old died when he was hit by a car outside his home in Kilkenny last June.

jake Jake Screengrab / YoutTube Screengrab / YoutTube / YoutTube

Since his tragic death, his mother Roseann and others have been calling for speed limits in housing estates to be reduced to 20km per hour. They also want mandatory speed bumps to be introduced.

In March, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe unveiled new guidelines for ‘slow zones’ across the country in urban areas that allow local authorities implement a 30km per hour speed limit in residential areas if they deem it necessary.

A number of councils have voted to reduce speed limits in housing estates to 30km per hour. Last month, Fingal County Council backed a motion calling for this to be reduced to 20km.

To mark Jake’s first anniversary, Roseann recently sat down for an interview with Kilkenny.com.

In it, she recalled the tragic moment she lost her son and renewed her call for drivers to slow down.

Kilkenny.com / YouTube

Related: Victory for Jake Brennan’s family as council backs 20km speed limit

Read: ‘I’m doing something for my baby… I’m here for Jake’ – heartbroken mum on her Dáil sleep out

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13 Comments
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jun 8th 2015, 8:29 PM

    God love her..unimaginable sorrow!

    332
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    Mute Tara Wilson-Black
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    Jun 8th 2015, 9:25 PM

    Our dog was knocked down in our housing estate, the car didn’t stop. Scary thing is our son & dog were like Charlie Brown & Snoopy. It could have easily been our son. His little heart & ours was/is broken and that was just a dog. I can’t begin to imagine what this family is going through, such courage and strength they have.

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    Mute Brianán Mc Bride
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    Jun 8th 2015, 8:39 PM

    I was clicking green thumb on your post and hit red by accident, kindle won’t let me undo

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    Mute potty o shea
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    Jun 8th 2015, 10:29 PM

    I’m delighted she got the law changed and I have great sorrow for her loss of Jakey.
    I remember so well when she started her campaign she got slaughtered from commentators on the Journal. They were saying she was just looking for notice from the media. I couldn’t believe it at the time. If you were guilty hang your head in shame and think twice before you type!

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    Mute steve white
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    Jun 8th 2015, 10:36 PM

    she hasn’t got any law changed yet.

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Jun 8th 2015, 11:23 PM

    The poor parents. They are broken hearted. Lovely little fella..

    32
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    Mute Gillian Duggan White
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    Jun 8th 2015, 10:06 PM

    I can only imagine how she feels and that’s enough to break my heart. Well done to her for starting the ball rolling to change this law and keep all of our children safer. I see no logical reason to oppose her proposed changes in speed limits.

    When I am behind the wheel I often think of Jake and I will always, for the rest of my days, drive slowly in housing estates.

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    Mute Jeanette McDonald
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    Jun 8th 2015, 10:06 PM

    There are no words. Such a brave lady

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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Jun 8th 2015, 11:52 PM

    A parent to lose a child is the worst sort of grief. But his mum carries her son proud memory with super strength to try and help save other children and parents from what this family is experiencing horrendous grief.

    I am proud of you and I am sure your son is beside you in your fight to help save young children some not even the height of car bonnets. God bless you and on behalf of the children you might not know you saved thank you.

    Jake would be so proud of his mum for her courage to put aside this horrible grief and fight with politicians to pass a law.
    As a first aide r In witnessed a young boy being tossed into the air and down again by a bmw car. He was knocked out lying on the ground still holding his dogs lead on the ground. Thankfully he survived but needed a lot of medical attention and a stay in hospital.
    For god sake think before you speed and always drive with the ability to emergency stop.

    This is what Jake mammy is saying as he guides her along the way.

    God bless you both.

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    Mute NIMO
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    Jun 8th 2015, 11:47 PM

    Must say I think of him too when driving and I have made a conscious effort to slow down, in particular gij g through estates. Jake’s life and untimely death will not have been in vain and he has his courageous parents to thank for that. Well done to them, I’m sure Jake is proud wherever he is.

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    Mute ted hagan
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    Jun 9th 2015, 8:22 AM

    Well done to Roseann for her campaign and for articulating it so well. The speed limit issue is scandalous. My heart goes out to this woman after such an awful ordeal.

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    Mute wiggy_72
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    Jun 9th 2015, 8:42 AM

    Well done to Roseann for keeping up her strength and to keep fighting , the TDs who have opposed the speed restrictions should hang there heads in shame especially the Labour Party , god bless her and her family ..

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    Mute Irritated Julian
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    Jun 12th 2015, 8:39 PM

    While it’s a given that motorists should drive carefully in estates and areas where children are at play, parents also need to take responsibility here. I’ve driven in plenty of places where the kids (and not smallies either) seem to have scant knowledge of the rules of the road. They need to be taught that moving vehicles are dangerous and that you can’t just run out in front of a car and expect it to have time to stop. This issue isn’t just about motorists – parents need to step up to the plate as well.

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