The collision occurred in the early hours of St. Patrick’s Day.
A Garda has been suspended following the death of a man in a hit-and-run crash in Louth in the early hours of St. Patrick’s Day.
Shortly after 2:30am on Sunday 17 March, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted after a pedestrian was found unresponsive on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda.
The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the vehicle involved failed to remain at the location.
“As part of ongoing inquiries, investigating Gardaí have since recovered a vehicle of interest, which will undergo technical and forensic examination,” a Garda statement released on Sunday morning read.
The victim of the hit-and-run crash has since been named locally as 42-year-old Niall McEneaney, who managed Termonfeckin senior hurling team St Fechins.
Gardaí later confirmed to JOE that a Garda member in the Northwest region has been suspended from duty in relation to the Drogheda crash.
They also said that the incident did not involve either an official Garda vehicle or a member of An Garda Síochána on duty.
Their statement reads:
“An Garda Síochána has made a referral under section 102 An Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended in relation to a Fatal Traffic Collision in Drogheda Co. Louth 17th March 2024.
“Following this referral, this incident is now under investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission further to section 98 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, as amended.
“An Garda Síochána will fully assist as required with this investigation, in accordance with Memorandum of understanding between An Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
“Any further enquiries are a matter for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.”
A GSOC statement to JOE regarding the incident also reads:
“GSOC received a referral from An Garda Síochána on the 17 March 2024, following a road traffic incident in Drogheda that took place in the early hours of the morning.
“The referral was made by a Garda Superintendent under section 102(1) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
“The matter is now under investigation by GSOC further to section 98 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005. As such, no further comment will be made at this time.”
In the Sunday morning statement, Gardaí said they are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.
As well as this, individuals with camera footage – including motorists with dashcam footage – from the area at the time are asked to provide it to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Images via Getty (stock)
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