Ireland

Teen driver remains in critical condition after car collided with horse on M8

Teenage male passenger uninjured as gardaí re-appeal for witnesses to the collision

A Garda road closure close to the scene near Aclint Bridge in Ardee, Co Louth, after three women were killed and two men seriously injured in a road accident involving three cars. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 21, 2017. Gardai said one woman, aged 39, was driving one of the cars, and the two other women, aged 69 and 37, were passengers. See PA story ACCIDENT Deaths Ireland. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The scene of the collision at Cahir Abbey Upper, Cahir, Co Tipperary, was closed throughout Sunday. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Mon Jul 18 2022 - 13:22

A teenage driver remains in a critical condition in hospital after the car he was driving collided with a loose horse on the M8 shortly before midnight on Saturday.

The scene of the collision at Cahir Abbey Upper, Cahir, Co Tipperary, which occurred at 11.55pm, was closed throughout Sunday to allow for forensic collision investigators to conduct an examination.

A teenage male passenger who was in the car was uninjured, while the loose horse, which had broken out from a nearby field and into the path of the vehicle, was killed instantly.

It is understood that the two young men were on their way to Cashel at the time of the crash but are not from the local area.

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The M8, which is the main route from Dublin to Cork, has been the scene of numerous serious collisions since it fully opened in 2010. The motorway was constructed in eight stages between 1985-2010.

Gardaí are re-appealing for witnesses to the collision.

In a statement, gardaí said: “Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users who were travelling in the area with camera (including dash cam) footage, is asked to make this available to gardaí.”

The statement added: “The male driver, late teens, sustained serious injuries and was removed to Cork University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

“There was a male [late teens] passenger in the car also who was uninjured. The horse died after the collision and gardaí are in the process of arranging for the animal to be destroyed.”

It is understood the teenager who was uninjured in the crash is helping gardai with their enquiries.

Local Independent councillor Andy Moloney said his “thoughts” were with all of those involved in the crash.

Anyone with information can contact Cahir Garda station at 052 744 5630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.