Six teenage pedestrians injured as car mounts footpath in south Dublin

A car on the pavement at 3pm

On Sunday, 8 November, at around 3pm, a car drove up onto the pavement beside a line of shops on Oliver Plunkett Road in Monkstown Farm, Dún Laoghaire. Six teenage pedestrians were struck, three boys and three girls aged between 13 and 15. The woman driving the car, who is in her 40s, was also hurt and remains in hospital. The car appeared to stop only after hitting a large pillar at the shop entrance, leaving heavy damage to its front. A 15-year-old boy who had witnessed the collision was taken to Children's Health Ireland Tallaght for medical attention.

Boys3

Girls3

Boys

3 people

Girls

3 people

Data from the article text

Injuries and hospital care

Three of the injured teenagers were taken to Children's Health Ireland Temple Street and three to Children's Health Ireland Crumlin, where they are being treated for a range of injuries. Gardaí said in a statement on Sunday night that some of them were in critical condition. Sources familiar with the case told the Irish Times that several had serious leg injuries requiring surgery, although the exact nature of the injuries was still unclear that night. An early Garda statement referred to seven pedestrians, but later accounts describe six teenagers.

Temple Street3

Crumlin3

Tallaght (witness)1

Temple Street

3 people

Crumlin

3 people

Tallaght (witness)

1 people

Data from the article text

Sources told The Journal that the driver may have been experiencing a medical episode when the crash happened. Gardaí are still trying to determine whether that was the case and what led to the vehicle leaving the road.

Garda investigation and appeal

Gardaí have set up an incident room at Dún Laoghaire Garda Station, which they say reflects the serious nature of the incident and the number of casualties. A senior investigating officer has been appointed, and a number of family liaison officers are supporting relatives of those involved. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have been examining the scene, and the road was closed while they worked. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage, and they want anyone who saw a dark brown Nissan X-Trail travelling from the Kill Avenue direction onto Oliver Plunkett Road between 2.45pm and 3.15pm to come forward. Anyone with information can call Dún Laoghaire Garda Station on 01 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Local reaction

Fine Gael councillor Dan Carson said the local area was in shock, and that his thoughts were with the families affected and the first responders. Fianna Fáil councillor Justin Moylan described a "surreal sense of shock in the area" and said:

“Our thoughts are with those that are injured and their families, hoping for a recovery for them as quick as possible.”

Councillor Lorraine Hall told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that the teenagers had been standing on a footpath on a crisp day, which made the incident more shocking. She stressed that people in the close-knit community expect to be safe on a footpath.

“You expect to be safe standing on a footpath.”

Hall said families in the area have lived there for generations and look out for one another, so the shock was being felt across the whole community.