A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run incident in Bundoran, Co Donegal which claimed the life of a nine-year-old boy.
The suspect, aged in his 20s, was detained on suspicion of an offence under the Road Traffic Act and taken to a Garda station in Donegal. “Gardaí have seized a vehicle in connection with the investigation which will undergo technical examination,” a Garda spokesman said.
The boy, named locally as Ronan Wilson from Kildress in Co Tyrone, was pronounced dead at the scene of incident, which happened on Atlantic Way in the town at about 9.20pm on Saturday.
The GAA enthusiast, who played for Kildress Wolfe Tones, was visiting Bundoran with his family when the incident occurred. The club cancelled a number of fixtures on Sunday following the under-10 player’s death. He is survived by his parents Dean and Emma and siblings Callum and Amy.
Cllr Barry Sweeny said there was a “genuine sense of shock” in the locality following the incident. “[My] condolences are with the family, it’s a tough time ahead of them to come to terms and deal with it.”
Sinn Féin councillor Michael McMahon said there had been a “stunned, numbed” reaction to the boy’s death. “It’s really brought sadness and sorrow around the town of Bundoran this morning.”
A major Garda operation was mounted on Sunday following the incident in an attempt to apprehend the driver of the car involved. The scene of the collision, close to a beach and waterpark, was sealed-off and later forensically analysed. A second scene, some 300 yards away, was also preserved.
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for information about the collision following Sunday’s arrest. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or with footage from the area at the time, is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda station on (074) 9858530 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
Tallaght incident
The death was one of four fatalities on Irish roads at the weekend, a figure that included the death of a competitor in a car rally in Co Clare on Sunday.
In Tallaght, Co Dublin, a motorcyclist died early on Sunday morning. The man, aged in his 20s, was fatally injured after colliding with a pedestrian at a roundabout on Whitestown Way at around 2.45am.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, and the pedestrian, a man in his 20s, was taken to Tallaght Hospital for treatment. His injuries were not regarded as life threatening.
A Garda spokesman said Whitestown Way was closed on Sunday morning to allow for an examination of the crash scene.
Anyone with information, footage from the area at the time or who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Kerry collision
In Co Kerry, a pedestrian died after being hit by a taxi in Lisselton overnight.
Gardaí were alerted to the incident on the R553 at Ballydonohoe near Ballybunion shortly after 2am.
“The pedestrian, a male in his 20s, was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. His body has since been removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Kerry. The driver, a male in his 40s, did not require immediate medical treatment,” a spokesman said.
The scene was preserved for an examination by Garda investigators, and traffic diversions were put in place.
It is understood that the deceased was making his way home after a night out in Lisselton when the collision occurred.
Cllr Robert Beasley said local people were “stunned” when they heard the news on Sunday morning. “I offer my sympathies and condolences to the family,” the Sinn Féin politician said.
Fine Gael councillor Michael Foley said: “It’s awful tragic for the family.”
Anyone with information, particularly those with camera or dashcam recordings from the R553 between Ballybunion and Listowel from 1.30am to 2.15am, is asked to contact Listowel Garda station on (068) 50820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
This weekend’s fatalities bring the number of deaths on Irish roads this year to 136.
