Cashel schools honour Don Higgins as the popular School Traffic Warden retires

Every morning for the past six years, children in Cashel who walk to school have been greeted by a familiar face, helping them to cross the road safely. 

Up until the Christmas school holidays last month, Don Higgins has been the Road Traffic Warden in Cashel at The Green, which is a busy Junction enroute to the three primary schools on the Old Road. 

Don, affectionately known as Lollipop man, is a former Cashel King Cormac's dual star. He was always reliable and, rain or shine, played a vital role in keeping children safe in Cashel on their way to and from school. 

Like many other villages and towns in Tipperary, the footpaths are narrow and traffic is heavy so having a trustworthy figure like Don present each morning and afternoon ensured children, and their parents too, were safe. 

"I will miss it. It was part of my life," he says. 

The Wednesday before Christmas, to mark his retirement, the primary schools in Cashel came together to honour Don and thank him for his part in looking after their students' safety. 

Staff, children and parents from St. John the Baptist Girls and Boys Schools as well as The Deanery School in Cashel filed into "The Halla" to pay tribute with some beautiful words. Afterwards Don, who is an avid reader, was presented with a card and a book voucher, as a token of their appreciation. 

Many were on hand to pay tribute including Mary Andrews, Principal of the Girls school who said: "We are all delighted to welcome Don here today and to be able to express our gratitude and appreciation to him for all his years helping the children crossing the road.

"He was invaluable and where he was placed down at the Green is quite a dangerous little stretch of road where cars come around the bend and it is absolutely vital to have somebody there. So that is the next challenge moving forward to make sure there is somebody there in the future. 

"There is traffic everywhere so it is so important to monitor these things. We are trying to make efforts to get children and families to walk to school rather than drive, and not having any School Traffic Warden in Cashel after Christmas is a significant issue we face in January" said Mary Andrews. 

The Deanery and the Boys school were also represented and paid tribute to Don's dedication to keeping the children safe. Will Ryan, principal of the Boys school, said: "Don is part of the school community. He is one of these guys I would pass every day on my way to school as he is getting himself ready for the morning duty. 

"He is an avid reader and we presented him with a book token today to recognise what he has done for us here. 

"We will miss him. Hopefully somebody takes over as it is a vital part of our school life. Getting students to school safely is hugely important. It would be a retrograde step for the safety of our kids if he isn't replaced," says Will Ryan.

Eddie Fogarty, the Community Employment Supervisor for Tipperary County Council, was present for the occasion and also paid tribute: "Don was consistent, professional and respectful. 

"He always went above and beyond for the safety of the children crossing that road. We wish him well. The children's safety was always number one with him."

Now, after many enjoyable years in the role, and despite being fit enough to continue, Don must step down from the role due to policy relating to age.

Regarding what the future holds for the children walking to school, Eddie said he hopes the role can be filled early in the New Year through the advertisement on the https://jobsireland.ie/en-US/browse-jobs website.

However, recruitment on CE schemes is a big issue nationwide he said: "We are hoping to fill the role. We would love to keep Don on but we can't as 66 is the retirement age and we can't go against what the current rules are."

The importance of Don's role is paramount to children's safety. Previously there was a warden at Tesco in Cashel that ensured children got to school safely however on completion of her term, the lady that filled the role was not replaced on what is an extremely busy road and those present last week from the three Cashel schools were hoping that the issue could be solved, and swiftly. 

The role is an important one, whoever takes it on has big boots to fill. 

The school community wishes Don well in his retirement and he is sure to stay busy with his involvement in St. Patrick's Brass Band in Cashel which rehearses and performs on a regular basis. He has been part of the brass band for sixty years and that is something he will not retire from any time soon!