It's also 30km/h on the beach at Bull Island, but don't tell the Evening Herald

“30kph limit for rush hour cars on Long Mile” cried the Evening Herald’s headline yesterday.

Why is the zone only for certain times of the day? Only half way down the Herald’s news report is a council official quoted saying that the limit applied during the school year. No other mention that the limit is there because of school children or that there are school buildings on both sides of the road.

The newspaper also somehow failed to mention the small length of the new speed limit zone on the road. The zone comes in just under a whopping 400m long. That distance at 28km/h takes so long to travel… a whole 51 seconds!

The article opens saying: “Motorists on Dublin’s busy Long Mile Road will have to take extra care following the introduction of a new 30kph speed limit.” At the risk of somebody telling us “will somebody think of the children”, this is a small stretch of road outside schools in a built up area, motorists should take extra care outside all schools regardless of the speed limit.

According to the council’s website, the operational hours are 8.15am to 9.30am and 12.45pm to 4.15pm. A second new zone outside a school for 140m at Chapelizod Road runs from 8.15am to 9.30am and from 1pm to 3pm.

Unlike normal speed limit signs, these timed signs have black backgrounds and text (ie 30km/h) which lights up when active (see here).

What’s the point of the limits? The following image shows the large increased probability of death if a person gets hit by a car at 50km/h, compared to a much lower probability of death at 30km/h. Some people’s feelings on this differs to the facts, but it’s hard to argue with physics:

MORE: Image of a 30km/h periodic speed limit sign
MORE: Speed limits in the Dublin City Council area
MORE: Call for 30km/h speed limit
MORE: Effect of 20 mph traffic speed zones on road injuries in London

“Three males all aged in their late teens were arrested this morning and are currently detained at Garda Stations in the south inner city. Two of the men are detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939, and one under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. This brings to 14 the number arrested in relation to this investigation,” said Sergeant Seán Mac Seoin.

This morning, Friday March 25, the two men were arrested in West Dublin. They are detained in Pearse Street and Harcourt Terrace Garda Stations under section 30 of The Offences Against The State Act.

One of the previously arrested males are also being held in custody at Kevin Street Garda Station.

“Maryam was last seen on Monday morning March 21 at 8.30am when she left her home to attend college in the city. She usually gets the number 122 bus from Mourne Road each morning. She did not return home that evening,” said Sergeant Margaret Flanagan.

She added: “Maryam is described as being 5ft 2″ – slim build, has long curly hair, brown eyes and facial piercings. She may have been wearing a dress with high boots, a cardigan and a gold hair band. Concern has been expressed for her safety and it is believed she may have checked into a hotel or guesthouse possible in the Dublin area or elsewhere.”

Anybody with information as to the whereabouts of Maryam Sulieman-Ali are asked to contact Crumlin Garda Station on 01 6666200.

It is believed David Byrne was chased across the Luas line and the canal before being stabbed to death (Image: Google Street View)

Kilmainham Gardai have arrested three more teenagers in connection with the murder of 19-year-old David Byrne.

“The new arrests are all teenagers — two male and one female. They are in custody in various Dublin City Stations.  2 are being detained under section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act and 1 is being detained under section 30 of The Offences Against The State Act,” said Sergeant Gerry Curley.

Earlier today, four male teenagers, in their mid to late teens,  were arrested in the Drimnagh area. Two are being detained under the provisions of section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939 as amended and the other two are being detained under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 as amended.

David Byrne was murdered in Inchicore last Saturday, March 19. He was stabbed in the car park of the Emmet House apartments at the end of Emmet Court, around 400m from his home across the Grand Canal in Drimnagh.

It is believed that he was chased by at least four people from outside his home nearby at Davitt House on Galtymore Road, Drimnagh. From there, the four chased him across Davitt Road, the Luas line and the canal, and into the car park at Emmet House.

“Gardai would like to renew their appeal for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who has any information in connection with the incident to contact them in Kilmainham on 01 6667300, the Garda Confidential Line or any Garda Station,” said Sergeant Brian Whelan.

View David Byrne murder in a larger map