Man, 50, in court over ‘hit-and-run’ of girl, 17

A 50-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court accused of a ‘hit-and-run’ that left a teenage girl fighting for her life last year.

In April 2018, Tara Houlihan was seriously injured after she was hit by a car in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, shortly before 4am on April 12.

She made a ‘miracle recovery’ after she survived and was released from hospital some months later.

Mark McManus, of Carrig Mill in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, appeared at Bray District Court last Thursday charged with a number of road traffic offences arising from the incident. He was charged with four offences: failure to remain at the scene of an accident; failure to provide information to gardaí; failure to stop at the scene of an accident; and failure to report it.

Tara, who was 17 at the time, is believed to have been on her way home from a party when she was struck by a vehicle.

In a statement released by her family months after the accident they confirmed she was being rehabilitated at home but they said: ‘The journey is uncertain and our new normality is still unknown.’

Mr McManus’s case before Judge David Kennedy was adjourned until next Monday.