Woman, 54, killed in ‘freak accident’ is named

A WOMAN who died in a ‘freak accident’ after she was pinned against a car in a friend’s driveway has been named as Margaret O’Connor.

The 54-year-old died on Tuesday morning after what is being described as a ‘tragic incident’ at her old housing estate in Mill Park, Castlebridge, Co. Wexford.

She had been visiting a friend to drop off a gift when it is believed she got trapped between a car which had slipped between two driveways.

Investigations into Ms O’Connor’s death are ongoing but it is understood she may have lay undiscovered for several hours before she was found.

Sources familiar with the investigation said that every angle of the accident will be investigated but as things stand, this was a ‘one in a million’ incident.

One source said: ‘What appears to have happened is that Margaret was heading to visit a friend, a former neighbour of hers from when she lived here. She was dropping off a box of eggs.

‘But the way the driveways are laid out, what we think happened is that a car somehow rolled between the two driveways. Gardaí are looking out how that could have happened.

‘What we do know is that the incident happened between 11.30am and 12 noon on Tuesday. This was a freak accident. Nobody was to blame here at all. I don’t know how else to describe it. If you tried to do it again, you probably couldn’t.’

Local councillor George Lawlor said the entire community was ‘devastated’ by the incident, adding that Castlebridge is a tight-knit area where everyone knows everyone. He said: ‘I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the woman’s family and friends after such a tragic incident. This is something which is going to reverberate throughout the community but my main concern and thoughts are with her family who will have very difficult days ahead.’

Gardaí said they continue to investigate the incident but ruled out foul play.

A spokesman said: ‘Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a woman outside a residential premises in Mill Park housing estate.

‘The incident is believed to have occurred between 11.30am and 12 noon.

‘Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact them.’

‘This will reverberate through the community’