Witness describes ‘very distressing’ scenes after car mounts path in Offaly

A youth has been arrested for suspected drink driving after his car mounted a footpath and injured several people in Co Offaly.

A garda spokesperson said a car collided with a number of pedestrians after mounting the footpath on O'Connell Street in Birr at approximately 12.20am on Sunday.

Footage taken at the scene by an onlooker in the aftermath of the collision shows several people attempting to lift the car off a man trapped underneath. Other injured people can be seen lying on the footpath. None of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening.

Author and psychotherapist Stella O’Malley, who lives on O’Connell Street, said the scene in the aftermath of the incident was “very distressing”.

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“I live on the street and on a typical Saturday night that can be maybe 100 people outside the chipper. It’s usually very convivial. Suddenly, late last night, there were a series of very loud noises followed by screaming, as if there was carnage,” she said.

“It was a shocking scene. There were people lying on the ground. There was a big kerfuffle as some tried to lift the car, which seemed to have a young man trapped underneath. Many had been knocked to the ground without knowing what happened.”

Ms O’Malley praised the action of a garda on duty, along with volunteers and members of emergency services who responded.

“There were so many young girls screaming,” she said. “It was very distressing. The Garda and the emergency services helped calm things down and were very organised. The injured were stretchered off and given first aid at the scene.”

Gardaí arrived the scene and arrested the driver, a male aged in his late teens, on suspicion of drink driving and took him to Birr Garda Station. A blood sample was taken and he was released pending further investigation.

The injured people were taken to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore for treatment. Gardaí say the scene in Birr has been preserved for technical examination and road diversions are in place.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

"Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the Emmet Square or O'Connell Street areas of Birr between 12:15am and 12:20am are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Birr Garda Station on 057 9169710, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Separately, gardaí in Cork city are continuing to investigate a hit and run on Douglas Street where a food delivery cyclist was struck by a vehicle.

The incident happened on 7.25pm on Thursday evening. CCTV footage showed a SUV type vehicle crashing into a crashing into a car and hitting the cyclist and knocking him down as he stood by his bicycle. The vehicle then drove off.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene. The man was not seriously injured.

“No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing,” the Garda said. “Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident can contact Anglesea Street Garda Station at 021 4522000.”