An incident in Co Limerick on Saturday, featuring a car and a bus full of children, left a woman gravely wounded. This case has subsequently been handed over to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), known for inspecting actions by the police that could have potentially caused serious injury or death.
To this effect, a representative from the police conveyed: “In reference to the incident in question, it has been turned over to An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission under section 102 of the An Garda Síochána Act”.
The representative also emphasised that the police are unable to provide additional details surrounding the incident and all further queries are to be routed towards GSOC.
The event took place in Ballylanders, Co Limerick, on Saturday afternoon, 26th October 2024, and it was confirmed by GSOC that they received the referral from the police related to the collision.
“The referral was initiated by a police superintendent in accordance with section 102(1) of the An Garda Síochána Act, 2005,” states the GSOC spokesperson. With an aim to assist in the investigation, members of the public who may have witnessed the collision, saw the grey Toyota Auris in the vicinity prior to the incident or captured any footage of the event are urged to get in touch.
Those with potentially useful information are invited to contact GSOC at 0818 600 800 or via email at [email protected].
The An Garda Síochána Act (2005) enshrines in law the right to an independent investigation into any incidents where members of the An Garda Síochána may have played a role that resulted in injury or death. This applies to Section 102 of this act.
A serious collision unfolded just before 3pm in the vicinity of Ballylanders village. A woman, who sustained significant head trauma, was rapidly transported by the nation’s air ambulance service provided by the Health Service Executive to Cork University Hospital. It is believed that four other individuals experienced minor injuries coupled with shock. Insider information suggests 23 children were present on the bus at the time of the accident.
Investigations to the incident required the closure of the R513 to provide a Garda forensic collision investigator access to conduct a thorough evaluation of the accident site. A broad emergency response plan was promptly initiated, engaging gardaí, the National Ambulance Service, and fire services from Kilmallock, Co Limerick, and North Cork. The Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter based in Shannon was alerted to the incident as well, but was dismissed shortly after.
The official statement from a Garda representative outlined that emergency services and Gardai responded to the accident news involving a bus and car collision on the R513 at Ballylanders, Co Limerick just before 3pm. The injured woman was an occupant of the car and was air transported to Cork University Hospital for serious injuries. Medical evaluations were administered to all bus passengers on site, with no immediate hospital referrals required. The representative clarified that no additional details could be provided at this stage and that a comprehensive report from the accident site was impending.