‘Del Boy’ crash has Ukrainian woman critical
A REFUGEE who fled Ukraine to escape Putin’s bombs was last night fighting for her life following a horrific car crash.
The woman in her sixties, who was being housed temporarily at a hotel on Amiens Street in Dublin’s north inner city, was struck by a motorcycle while crossing the road on Friday.
She underwent emergency surgery after suffering potentially life changing head injuries. Last night gardai said she “remains in a critical condition” at the Mater Hospital.
The accident happened around 1.30pm near Connolly rail station and brought the rush hour traffic to a standstill.
Convicted killer Derek “Del Boy” Hutch, the brother of murdered Gary Hutch, was riding the motorcycle and suffered minor injuries in the collision.
A Garda Ombudsman investigation has been launched to confirm whether as alleged he did a U-turn after spotting a garda search in Fairview just minutes before the accident.
There was no garda chase but officers referred the matter to GSOC as a matter of protocol in case it could be viewed as potential garda interaction before the crash, a source said.
Last night, friends of the woman who fled war-torn Ukraine looking for safety said they were “in shock” over the incident.
One refugee added: “Is it terrible, so terrible, just so sad. The woman she came here from the war and not long here also. Her family I feel so sorry for them all.”
In a statement a spokesperson for GSOC said: “On Friday 27 May 2022, GSOC received a referral from An Garda Siochana following a road traffic incident in Amiens Street, Dublin.
“The referral was made under Section 102(1) of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005. As the matter is now under examination by GSOC, there will be no further comment at this time.”
Gardai issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to the accident after footage of the aftermath of the crash was widely circulated on social media.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardai in Store Street are appealing for any witnesses who were in the North Strand/amiens Street areas... who may have footage (including dash cam) to make it available to them.
“Investigations are ongoing.”