GARDAI HUNT DRIVER IN HIT & RUN ‘ATTACK’
Boy, 15, is released from hospital after being mown down
A BOY mown down at a shopping complex was released from hospital yesterday as gardai continue their hunt for the driver.
The incident happened as the 15-yearold was standing at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in North Dublin on Friday.
A car, believed to be a BMW, mounted the footpath and was observed to drive at speed towards a group of kids – hitting and tossing the schoolboy into the air over the bonnet.
It drove off before gardai arrived.
SHOCKED
A Garda spokesman said yesterday the youngster was released from hospital after treatment and is recovering at home in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
Meanwhile, officers have examined CCTV footage as they attempt to identify the hit-and-run motorist. They have gathered statements from shocked shoppers and it is understood they were given the registration of the car by some of the children.
A source said: “This was a frightening incident – it could have been a lot worse if the kids didn’t get out of the way.
“Gardai are now looking to interview the driver – they are confident of identifying the man who was apparently wearing a business suit.” Brave trainee mental health nurse Rebecca Wade, 21, was enjoying a coffee with her boyfriend Eoin Reilly in the area.
She said: “I was sitting in Starbucks. The window is completely open and a car suddenly came up that path from the Leisureplex.
DISPERSED
“He was moving fast – it looked like he was moving at about 30mph. He really sped up. The kids just dispersed everywhere. I went running for the door and got outside and the Starbucks people locked the doors.
“I let myself out, I wanted to help because I am a nurse. The car turned around and [the man] shouted at the kids. He got back into the car and went back at the group again. One boy was hit and he went over the bonnet.
“I ran out and got the young lad into the recovery position and got people away from him.
“The woman had a jacket and put it on him. He was bawling his eyes out and he had to ring his mum.
“He was OK and he was stable but he was obviously in shock. He was waiting for his mum and dad coming from Leixlip.
“The fire brigade were first on scene and then the guards came down. He was just going in and out of consciousness.”