Mum killed in hit-&-run van horror...
Tributes to Laura as man arrested
A WOMAN who dies following a hit-and-run had been window shopping for wedding dresses just a few hours earlier.
Laura Connolly, 34, was killed as she was returning from a night out with friends in the early hours of yesterday.
Family and friends of the mum of one from the border village of Lifford, Co Donegal, posted tributes to her on social media.
Laura’s devastated partner Joe Mccullagh and their young son Jamie are being consoled by family and friends.
The couple, who were teenage sweethearts, were due to tie the knot next year, according to friends.
They told how Laura had been browsing for wedding dresses in nearby Strabane earlier in the day and had decided to go out with friends later that night.
She was returning home in the early hours and had just said goodbye to a friend as she walked towards Townspark on the N15 road.
However, she was struck by a white van which failed to remain at the scene.
Laura was rushed by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. A postmortem is due to be held.
Gardai had issued an appeal for the driver involved in the incident to come forward.
A man in his 40s was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and is being questioned at Letterkenny Garda station.
Meanwhile, the close-knit border town where Laura grew up has been left stunned by her tragic death.
One of her many friends, Strabane SDLP councillor Jason Barr, said his heart “ached” at the news.
He added: “Laura was one of the most caring, outgoing, bubbly girls you could ever meet.
“If you wanted a laugh, she would have gave it to you. A young life taken too soon in such tragic circumstances.
“My whole-hearted condolences go out to her mum and dad, fiance, son, siblings, the wider Connolly family circle and her close friends.
“May God give you all the strength to get through this.
“I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward, this family will need closure. Rest easy Laura.”
The tragic mum’s heartbroken uncle Andy Connolly had earlier appealed to whoever knocked her down or if anybody who has any information about the incident to come forward.
He wrote on Facebook: “Anybody with any information in relation to the killing and hit-and-run of our happy-go-lucky, bubbly niece Laura Connolly at the Lifford roundabout last night contact any of us with any details or even the proper authorities!!! This is a traumatic experience for everybody in our family a very massive shock of a girl so full of life, a son and boyfriend father mother and brother all left with the world turned upside down.
“Rip Laura. You’ll be sorely missed always. I’ll always remember good aul laughs we had.
“Rest easy from your maddest uncle be no stone left unturned...please share xx.”
Local Fianna Fail councillor Gerry Crawford said: “The terrible news reaching into this community this morning has cast a shadow of sadness over a wide area. The passing of someone so young in such tragic Collision circumstances will be widely felt.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family loved ones and her many friends at this most difficult of times.”
A Garda forensic team spent the morning at the scene of the incident.
Traffic diversions were put in place and the scene was preserved for examination by scenes of crime officers and Garda Forensic Investigators. Gardai are also appealing to those with video footage – including dash cam – from the scene and along this route to make it available to them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda station 074 9167116 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
She was one of the most caring girls you could ever meet JASON BARR STRABANE SDLP COUNCILLOR