A British youngster was murdered by a car while on vacation in Ireland after wandering onto the street while his parents believed he was still sleeping.
The distraught parents of a youngster who was slain yesterday beside a rural road in County Roscommon believed he was still in bed at the time of the tragedy.
The infant, believed to be 21 months old, died after a jeep struck him soon before 9 a.m. near the village of Ballinagare. His death is being investigated as a sad accident by Irish police.
It is believed that the toddler’s parents, who are on vacation from the United Kingdom, had been living with family members for many days.
A source told the Irish Daily Mail that the boy left his bed on his own and fled the house while his parents were sleeping.
Tragically, the crash occurred because a neighbor who was entering his own property did not spot the child.
When the man realized what had occurred, he immediately notified the neighbors, who originally believed he was mistaken.
The parents suddenly realized that their youngster was nowhere in the house, nor in bed. The source stated, “They were a couple from the United Kingdom who were staying at a relative’s property in a rural area some two miles outside of Ballinagare.”
“A neighbor who owns fields adjacent to theirs was entering his property when he observed a bump. When he exited his jeep and noticed the child, he immediately raced to the house and alerted the residents.
‘At the time, the parents were still in bed and informed him that their son was still sleeping. Unfortunately, they quickly learned that this was not the case, and that the boy had apparently left the house on his own. This is a dreadfully tragic event that has struck this town, and it could have happened to anyone. Officers are investigating the event, according to a Garda spokesman, although no foul play is suspected. Garda are requesting that motorists having dashcam footage provide it to investigators.
Garda also confirmed the completion of a technical inspection of the scene by forensic crash investigators and the assignment of a family liaison officer to assist the toddler’s family.
Contact Boyle Garda Station at 071 966 4620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 if you have any information.
Numerous locals have resorted to social media to express their condolences following the tragedy. A woman remarked, “May his young, kind spirit rest in peace.”
And local officials have stated that the ‘pain’ is felt throughout Roscommon. Paschal Fitzmaurice, a local councilman, told Shannonside. The local community in West Roscommon is horrified and saddened by the news that a young boy was killed in a dreadful accident, and the death of this child is tragic news.
Cllr. Liam Callaghan stated, “There has been widespread grief and dismay in the Tulsk-Bellanagare community.” Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this terrible time.
“You hear these stories in various parts of the country and at various times, but when it gets to your own doorstep, the entire reality hits home, and unfortunately, it has reached our town today. I have no doubt that the community will come together to support the family.”
Tom Corsby, the leader of the Roscommon County Council and an independent councillor, stated: “I’d like to send my condolences to the boy’s family, neighbors, and friends, since this terrible tragedy has occurred in our community. In a tragedy of this magnitude, everyone feels pain.”