GARDAÍ HAVE launched two investigations following the deaths of two teenagers in a car crash in Cork and the death of a female pedestrian who was hit by a car in Dublin. The incidents happened within a half hour of each other on Thursday night.
The crash in Cork happened at Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny at 11.30pm on Thursday when two cars driving in the same direction collided with each other.
A black Volkswagen Golf was in collision with a red Ford Mondeo. Both cars were thrown down a bank below the road. Four occupants of the Ford Mondeo were brought by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.
CJ Dolan (16), who was a back-seat passenger in the Ford Mondeo, died early yesterday, while Derry O’Callaghan (19), who was also in the Mondeo, died mid-morning from his injuries.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said it was a “terrible tragedy for the area”.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to both families,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “People were only coming to terms with the news of the loss of 16-year-old CJ Dolan when the news came through at midday of the death of Derry O’Callaghan. It is a huge loss for both families and for this young community.”
Gardaí were yesterday questioning two men. They are aged 40 and 21, and are being detained at Gurranebraher Garda station. One of them is the driver of one of the cars involved.
Five people were in the vehicle in which the two teenagers died, while neither of the two occupants of the other car was injured. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
It is understood all the injured are now in a stable condition. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact gardaí in Gurranebraher on (021) 494 6200.
In Dublin, a 44-year-old woman died after she was hit by a car on the city-bound lane of the N4 near Lucan in Dublin shortly after 11pm on Thursday.
She was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where she was pronounced dead shortly before 2am. A Garda spokesman said no one else was injured in the incident. Gardaí at Lucan are seeking witnesses.