LAST UPDATE | 17 Dec 2019

A MAN AND a woman have died in a road crash in South Dublin this morning. 

The car in which they were travelling left the road and hit a lamppost on Butterfield Avenue in Rathfarnham at 1.30am. 

It’s understood that upon seeing the vehicle this morning Gardaí indicated for it to pull over. The car refused to stop and sped off before crashing a short time later. 

The incident has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), gardaí said. 

A spokesperson for GSOC confirmed that the incident has been referred to it under Section 102 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 and that GSOC is conducting an examination. 

Under Section 102: “The Garda Commissioner shall refer to the Ombudsman Commission any matter that appears to the Garda Commissioner to indicate that the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.”

The bodies of the deceased have been removed to Tallaght University Hospital. A post-mortem is due to take place today. 

The Garda Forensic Collision Investigation Unit have conducted an examination of the scene and the road has reopened.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who travelled on Butterfield Avenue at the time of the collision – and who may have dash-cam footage – to contact Gardaí in Tallaght on 01 – 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.