Seven hurt after car ploughs into group of people attending funeral

A man has described how a group of people became trapped under a car following a crash in the grounds of a church in Dublin.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2018, 15:53 BST
Updated 25th Jun 2018, 15:59 BST
A damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south Dublin, two people were left critically ill in hospital after a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians at the church.A damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south Dublin, two people were left critically ill in hospital after a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians at the church.
A damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south Dublin, two people were left critically ill in hospital after a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians at the church.

Seven people were injured, including two critically, after the vehicle collided with pedestrians.

Gardai said the driver of the car fell ill and struck the group at 10.20am on Monday.

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Emergency services rushed to the scene of the Church of Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, west Dublin, where mourners had gathered for a funeral.

A damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south DublinA damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south Dublin
A damaged vehicle in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin, south Dublin

Witness and mourner Larry Mooney said that other people jumped out of the way to avoid the collision.

Mr Mooney, from Blackrock in south Dublin, said: "There was about 200 people standing around waiting for the hearse to arrive when there was a rumble of noise, it sounded like the church was collapsing, the sound was unbelievable and then we saw people rushing back.

"It was only about 20 feet away from me - it was packed with people - and then we discovered it was a car and people were underneath it. I believe there was about eight people injured.

"Some people were very seriously injured.

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"People were trying to lift the car, but it was jammed against the wall.

"The emergency services were there reasonably quickly.

"It was an awful shock, you wouldn't expect it at a funeral. People were all standing around outside the church when it happened."

In a statement, gardai said: "Gardai and emergency services are at the scene of a collision at a church in Clondalkin Village, Dublin, at approximately 10.20am.

"It's understood the driver of a car fell ill and struck a number of pedestrians on the grounds of a church.

"One person has been taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. Two have been taken to James St Hospital and one taken to Tallaght Hospital.

"Developments will be updated."

Related topics:Emergency servicesPeople