PRAYERS FOR LITTLE DECLAN

THE family of a three-year-old child who is fighting for his life in hospital after being knocked down by a car on Sunday said they are praying for good news.

Declan Greenan was playing with his older brother, sister and cousins during a visit to his grandparent's house at Frazer Park in Annaclone when he is thought to have run out onto the road into the path of an oncoming car.

The toddler, from Knock Road in Rathfriland, sustained a broken pelvis when he was knocked unconscious and taken to Daisy Hill hospital shortly after the accident at around 3pm on Sunday as his parents, grandparents and the driver of the car looked on in horror.

The youngest-of-four children to Gail and Brendan Greenan, Declan is described by his grandmother Mary as an innocent child.

"He is a lively wee boy and a loving wee boy," the grandmother-of-20 told the Leader. "You could just take him and keep him."

Declan, who turned three in March this year, was in theatre in the Royal Victoria Hospital yesterday (Monday) with his parents at his bedside since Sunday.

Brendan's mother Mary said they are waiting, hoping and praying for his recovery, with his condition still described as critical yesterday.

The driver of the car, who is thought to have had his wife and other family members in the car, is said to be from Rathfriland.

"He didn't come down the road with the intention of this happening," said Mary. "He hadn't been speeding or anything. He stopped straight away and stayed with the family."

Local councillor Seamus Doyle knows the Greenan family and has extended his sympathies to Declan and his loved ones.

"We can all just offer our thoughts and prayers for the family at this time and hope the wee boy pulls through," said the SDLP councillor.

While there is no suggestion that speed played a part in the accident, Mr Doyle said he had lobbied Roads Service for traffic-calming measures to be introduced in the area some months ago.

"My suggestion of ramps or something similar was turned down but I will be speaking with Roads Service again about this matter."

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