LAST UPDATE | 30 Aug 2023
THE TWO GRANDPARENTS and three-year-old grandson who died in a road crash in Co Tipperary have been named locally.
Tom O’Reilly (48), his wife Bridget O’Reilly (45) and their grandson Tommy O’Reilly all lost their lives in the crash shortly before 9pm yesterday evening, when a car hit a wall in the Windmill Knockbulloge area of Cashel.
Tom and Bridget, who were backseat passengers, were pronounced dead at the scene. Toddler Tommy was also fatally injured and died at the scene.
Tommy’s parents, who were in the front seats of the car and are both aged 22, were taken to Tipperary University Hospital.
His father is being treated for serious injuries and his mother is being treated for less serious injuries, gardaí confirmed in an update this afternoon.
Gardaí have advised that the road in Windmill Knockbulloge is currently closed to traffic with local diversions in place. The road will remain closed for some time today.
In a new statement, Superintendent Kieran Ruane said: “I want to express my sincere condolences and the sympathies of every member of An Garda Síochána to the family and friends of Thomas, Bridget and Tom on this tragic loss of life.”
He said that a Family Liaison Officer have been appointed to the family to provide support and the family will be updated throughout the investigation.
“Last night An Garda Síochána supported by other emergency services including HSE Paramedics, Cashel Fire Brigade, Tipperary University Hospital and Tipperary Co County Council initiated a major incident response. Once again I want to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my colleagues in An Garda Síochána, the other emergency services who attended the scene last night and the staff at Tipperary University Hospital,” Ruane said.
“The scene last night was traumatic and very difficult for everyone in attendance. The professionalism shown by all first responders and the compassion shown to the three deceased was commendable.”
Our local community here in Cashel is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic road traffic collision involving five members of one family, with three deceased.
“I have spoken with the family of the deceased this morning, a family that is devastated by this terrible incident. I assured the family and I want to assure the community that local Gardaí here in South Tipperary are here to support them and the community, as we all come to terms with this tragedy over the coming days, weeks and months.”
Local Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess said the community was “numb” at hearing the news.
“This is devastating news for the community of Cashel this evening. I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to the families of those involved,” said Burgess.
“This is especially difficult for the people of Cashel tonight, given Tipperary is still reeling from the road tragedy in Clonmel last weekend.
“I would like to thank all the emergency services personnel who were at the scene quickly tonight, doing very tough work in difficult circumstances.
“I’d also like to thank the residents in the Windmill and Kingstown areas who were out assisting where needed.”
Local TD Mattie McGrath said: “More heartbreak for our community as a number of people are believed to have been killed in a crash near Cashel. My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved, their families and the emergency services dealing with another tragic event.”
An incident room has been established at Cahir Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators (FCI) were requested to conduct an examination of the scene today.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact the investigation team.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Windmill Knockbulloge area near Cashel between 8.15pm and 8.45pm yesterday evening are asked to make the footage available to gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cahir Garda station on 052 617 7640, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Additional reporting by Diarmuid Pepper and Sean Ryan
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