The two Cork-based gardai who died in a road traffic accident early on Sunday morning will be buried with full Garda honours tomorrow. The funerals will be attended by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne.
Gardai in Cork are hoping to interview the driver of a hackney cab which collided with the marked patrol car driven by Garda Seamus McIntyre (29), who was from Kenmare, Co Kerry.
His colleague in the patrol car was Garda George Rice (45), who was stationed at Mallow Road.
The hackney driver was expected to be released from the Cork University Hospital last night but his passenger underwent surgery on Sunday night. Garda McIntyre was stationed at Watercourse Road Garda station and had been a member of the Garda for four years. He lived in Ballincollig, where he was a member of the local GAA club.
His fiancee, Garda Clare Corcoran, who was stationed at Anglesea Street Garda station, was one of the first to arrive at the crash scene near Ballyvolane on Cork's North Ring Road. Garda McIntyre's funeral will take place after 11 a.m. Requiem Mass in Kenmare tomorrow.
Garda Rice, who was in the force for many years, is survived by his wife, Eilis and children Elaine (14), Laura (12) and Kieran (8). From Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, Garda Rice lived at Blarney and will be buried tomorrow after 3.30 p.m. Requiem Mass in Macroom.
Gardai are still hoping to hear from a woman believed to be in her 20s who came upon the crash and gave assistance just before the emergency services arrived. She was described as being low sized, of medium build and wearing black clothes.