A teenage girl who was seriously injured on Friday afternoon in a two-car collision on the N77 between Kilkenny city and Ballyraggett was sitting in the car when it was stolen minutes earlier. After the crash she was taken by air ambulance to Waterford University Hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, was pronounced dead at St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny on Friday afternoon. He is suspected of stealing the car at Green Street, Kilkenny at about 3:30pm.
It is understood the girl, who has special needs, was sitting in her father’s car which had been left running while he visited a local office. The man who allegedly stole the car had been living locally in sheltered accommodation.
The teenage girl, who is understood to have been adopted from Belarus, remains in Waterford University Hospital where her condition has been described as “critical”.
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The three occupants (two males in their 40s and 60s and a woman in her 40s) of the other vehicle involved in the crash were taken to St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Speaking at the Fine Gael ardfheis, Helen McEntee, the Minister for Justice, described the theft and crash as “devastating” for those involved.
“No doubt, very terrifying for the people involved, and in particular the woman involved. We will give the Gardai any support or help in their investigation,” she said.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the theft of the car or to the crash to come forward and assist them with their investigations.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N77 between Kilkenny town and Ballyragget between 3:15pm and 4pm have been asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Green Street area of Kilkenny between 3pm and 3:30pm to make this footage available to them.
Anyone with any information can contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.