In relation to a fatal car crash in Cork earlier this year that tragically ended the life of a mother of two, a woman in her mid-life has been apprehended by local Irish police under the suspicion of intending to obstruct justice. The deceased, identified as Sheila Dunne, succumbed to her injuries from an accident that took place at Sarsfield’s Court, Glanmire on the 11th of February.
The apprehended woman, who was an acquaintance of Ms. Dunne, was taken into custody from her residence in Cork during the early hours of Thursday and subsequently questioned at a neighbourhood police station. Her detainment was in accordance with section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Ms. Dunne, aged in her 50s, was discovered in the vehicle’s driving seat by the immediate responders on the calamity’s location. However, there are suspicions amongst the police that she might have been situated in the driver’s seat subsequent to the accident that ensued at 7:45pm on February 11th.
Following the grave injuries induced by the crash, Ms. Dunne was taken to Cork University Hospital, where she passed away two days later. The autopsy that followed her death further aroused suspicions about her being the driver due to the peculiarities of her injuries and seat belt bruising.
Forensic examination of the accident vehicle was carried out, aiming to seek evidence indicating the driver’s identity. Preliminary findings included the presence of Ms. Dunne’s DNA on the airbag for the passenger side, which was deployed during the impact.
Evidence from mobile phone records and CCTV footage from the Glanmire vicinity are key to the ongoing investigation in discovering more about the actual events post-impact.
Ms. Dunne, a much-revered special needs assistant at Watergrasshill National School, was fondly remembered at the funeral Mass in Glounthaune’s Sacred Heart Church, particularly for the immense pride she took in her two children, Lilley and TJ.
Fr Patrick Fogarty, who led the mass, shared, “I understand Sheila found her soulmate three decades ago on February 14th. Unfortunately, we lost Ted merely three years back. They cherished a delightful bond of love and today, they’re together again.”
Sheila left a strong mark on her coworker at Watergrasshill National School, who recounted her as “an individual filled with kindness, compassion, and selflessness, the likes of which are rare to encounter. Her presence would invariably bring vibrance to any space. I had the good fortune of considering her a collaborator as well as a dear friend. Her departure will cause an irreplaceable void in all our hearts at Watergrasshill NS.”