Residents of the East Wall staged a demonstration on the day after Car Free Day last week (Tuesday, September 23) to highlight the dangers posed by increasing traffic levels in the area.

Locals are calling for action to improve their quality of life, which they claim, is being seriously affected by the “outrageous” extent of rat running traffic.

“Our streets are regularly blocked up, we have a higher than average rate of respiratory problems and our children’s safety is jeopardised,” stormed the chairman of the East Wall Residents' Association, Joe Mooney.

“Dublin City Council, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and An Garda Siochana all have a role to play and we call on them to play their part.”

According to another homeowner, Helen McCabe, the residential area endures higher levels of traffic than a motorway.

“It’s not healthy for anybody here,” she said. “It can’t go on or someone will get killed.”

The demonstration was timed to follow Car Free Day which was declared a sham by cycling groups who accused Dublin City Council of ignoring the event.

Mr Mooney added: “Car free day is fine, if all we want are token gestures. For the other 364 days we are left to suffer. That’s not good enough – we want to make every day a car free day for our kids.”