Car in crash that killed teen may have been in race
GARDAÍ are investigating whether a car involved in a fatal head-on crash was taking part in a race with another car.
Barry Griffin (17), a passenger in one of the cars that crashed, was killed at Ballymascanlon, outside Dundalk, Co Louth, about 9pm on Tuesday.
The driver of the car in which he was travelling, an ’07 Volkswagen Passat, left the scene on foot after the crash.
He later presented himself at a garda station where he was being questioned last night.
A man in his 40s who was driving the second car, a Ford Kuga, was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was treated for minor injuries.
He was driving in the opposite direction towards the cars that are believed to have been racing, and crashed head-on into the Passat.
Gardaí believe the car that was said to be racing the Passat was then driven over the Border and burned out.
A youth is being questioned in relation to that vehicle, thought to be a Mercedes.
Injuries
“It looks like the Passat was being raced against the second car, which was bought cheaply up North when this incident occurred,” said a source.
“The crash was on a fairly straight stretch of road close to the Ballymascanlon roundabout.
“There were four people in one car and the passenger was killed and the driver fled, while the other passengers remained at the scene. There was one occupant of the Ford and he received minor injuries,” the source added.
The road remained closed for a technical examination yesterday while local diversions were in place.
Tributes were paid to Barry Griffin yesterday as his family and the community of Castle Heights, Dundalk, where he lived, were coming to terms with the tragic news.
Local sources say Barry would have sat his Leaving Cert at De La Salle College in Dundalk this year but for the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was a former player with the Shamrocks football club in the schoolboy league.
One friend posted a message on Facebook saying her heart went out to Barry’s family.
“My heart is absolutely broke writing this. For all who knew Barry, he was one of the most genuine people about.
“He never meant any harm, always had a smile on his face, always made others smile and was one of the funniest people I know,” she said.
“We’re all in shock of what happened but we all loved Barry.
“We love and miss you, we hope you get the best bed in heaven and always look down on us.”
Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses, particularly any road users who may have camera footage and who were travelling in the Ballymascanlon area between 8pm and 9pm on Tuesday to contact Dundalk garda station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
‘We love and miss you, we hope you get the best bed in heaven’