Van driver dies after plunge into River Lee

A VAN driver died after plunging into the River Lee just outside Cork’s city centre in the early hours of yesterday morning.

At around 3am, Cork city revellers spotted a white van plough into the Kennedy Quay side of the docks area of the river.

They called emergency services and three units of Cork city fire service and gardaí rushed to the scene.

But due to tidal conditions and a lack of visibility, it took more than an hour, to recover the van.

It was eventually raised out of the water by a winch and the man’s body discovered inside.

A full post-mortem was due to be carried out at Cork University Hospital and a file will be prepared for Cork city coroner Philip Comyn. Gardaí do not suspect foul play

was involved. The death was one of two road traffic accidents in as many days.

A 62-year-old man died when he was struck by a car at Cleenrath, Aughnacliffe, Co. Longford, at about 7pm on St Stephen’s Day.

His body was taken to the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, for a post-mortem.

The 44-year-old female driver of the car was reportedly uninjured in the accident, but is believed to be very shocked and upset about what happened.

Gardaí in Granard are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them at Granard station, or on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.