Child killed outside Newtownards school named as Joshua Kelly

The youngster was a pupil at St Finian’s Primary School in the Co Down town.

He was taken to the Ulster Hospital after being struck by a car on the Scrabo Road, near Model Primary School at around 3pm.

Today the principal of St Finian’s, Barry Coulter, described Joshua as “a much loved pupil” who will be “sadly missed by the whole school community”.

“Joshua was a beautiful, kind little boy who was very popular with his classmates and the staff of the school,” he said.

“His smile could light up a room and his bubbly, affectionate personality was infectious.

“There is a severe sense of shock and grief throughout our school. Trained staff from the Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team are helping to support the staff and children through this difficult time.”

He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Joshua’s entire family circle and the St Finian’s school community sends them our sincerest sympathy and support.”

Earlier DUP MP for the Strangford area, Jim Shannon, said that, as a grandfather to a child roughly the same age, he could imagine how the family felt.

He hoped God would console them in their time of “incredible grief” over their loss, but added: “The words we can say can never fill that gap.”