Man released in Kilcoole hit and run case
MAN IN HIS 40S QUESTIONED IN RELATION TO HIT AND RUN
A KILCOOLE teenager is in critical condition in a Dublin hospital after being hit by a vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A man in his 40s presented himself to gardai on Monday and has been questioned in relation to the incident. He has been released and the investigation is ongoing.
Tara Houlihan was almost home when the collision occurred before 4 a.m. on the Main Street in Kilcoole.
Her parents, who maintain a vigil at Tara’s bedside, have sent out a message via Cllr Tom Fortune thanking the community for their good wishes.
The next 48 hours are crucial and Tara’s family have asked that she be kept in people’s thoughts and prayers.
A man in his 40s has been questioned in relation to a hitand-run which left 17-year-old Tara Houlihan from Kilcoole in critical condition.
The man handed himself into gardai and was interviewed at Bray Garda Station on Monday evening. He has been released pending a file being sent to the DPP. Investigations are ongoing. Tara is a pupil at St David’s Secondary school, where support is being provided to her friends. Meanwhile, the teenager’s parents Greg and Theresa have sent a message to the community, via Cllr Tom Fortune.
‘ They have asked me to pass their appreciation for the overwhelming community response and good wishes they have received following the very serious head injuries Tara has received,’ he said. ‘She remains in critical condition and the next 48 hours are crucial. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.’
Tara remains seriously injured at Beaumont Hospital following the incident 500 metres from her home in Kilcoole.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the serious incident, which occurred at around 3.50 a.m. last Saturday, April 14, on Kilcoole Main Street. The teenager was struck by a car which failed to remain at the scene, close to Lee’s Pub. The car, which was described as a light coloured saloon type (possibly silver), travelled northbound through Kilcoole at 3.45 a.m. from the direction of Newtownmountkennedy and towards Greystones/Eden Gate.
Tara is understood to have been making her way home from a party at Greystones Sailing Club and was dropped off within close walking distance of her Beachdale home before being struck.
An oncoming motorist found her injured on the side of the road and contacted emergency services. The Main Street in Kilcoole was closed for several hours on Saturday morning as gardaí examined the scene.
Prayers were said for the teenager at all Masses during the weekend.
Fr Eamonn Clarke of St Anthony’s church said that members of the community are deeply shocked. He said that the gardaí have been very active in the village in trying to find out what exactly happened and they have been examining CCTV.
‘ The whole village is devastated,’ said Cllr Tom Fortune. ‘It’s such a terrible thing to happen, especially to someone so young. Everyone is thinking at this stage of the young girl and her parents and family.’
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who may have information is asked to contact Bray Garda Station on 01 6665300, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.