Girl (8) dead and boy (11) seriously injured after crash in Co Galway

Children out cycling near their home in Ballinasloe when they were hit by a car

An 11-year-old boy is in a serious condition in hospital on Sunday night after a collision on a road in Co Galway on Sunday that killed his eight-year-old sister.

Gardaí named the dead girl as Bridget Ward and said her brother, Patrick had non-life-threatening injuries.

The children were cycling near their home on the R358 Ballinasloe to Ahascragh road just before noon, when they were struck by a car. It is understood the car also hit a tree but the occupants were uninjured.

The children were taken to Portiuncula Hospital where Bridget was later pronounced dead. The family were notified and went to the hospital.

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Gardaí are investigating the incident and the road remained closed on Sunday evening as forensic crash investigators examined the scene.

The collision occurred on a straight, undulating stretch of road not far from the roadside site where the children, members of a Traveller family, live. Weather conditions were good at the time of the incident.

Micheal Finnerty, a Ballinsaloe-based Fine Gael county councillor, who has been in touch with the family, said they were “in shock”.

“For this to happen at any time is bad; for it to happen on Easter Sunday is unimaginable,” he said. “This will resonate with everyone here for a long time.”

Fianna Fáil TD Ann Rabbitte said it was a “tragic” and “numbing” incident.

“You can’t imagine it. The whole place is absolutely stunned by it. On a beautiful Easter Sunday in Galway. It’s absolutely tragic.”

The crash happened a few kilometres from the scene of another incident, which led to the deaths of two local women, a year ago.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the collision to contact Ballinasloe Garda station on 0909 631890.

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen is a former heath editor of The Irish Times.

Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher is Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times