A member of An Garda Siochana has had has his foot severed when he was hit by a driver while he was out cycling in Co Limerick. A criminal investigation is underway and a suspect for the hit and run has been identified and arrested.
The off-duty garda’s foot was later found on the car driven by the suspect after it became wedged in the vehicle and the driver fled the scene of the crash. It appears the severed foot was discovered when the suspect drove to a relative’s house in panic after the hit and run.
The victim, Niall Flood, is a Garda inspector who is well known for his work based in Limerick City and county. While he was expected to survive, he has obviously been left with life-changing injuries.
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Gardai investigating the awful case believe a woman in her 20s was driving the vehicle that hit Mr Flood and she has been arrested for questioning.
Mr Flood is from from Dromcollogher in Co Limerick and was out cycling last Thursday evening close to his home when he was hit by a driver. The crash occurred on the R522, between Dromcollogher and Feoghanagh, near Newcastle West at 7.15pm.
Mr Flood, who is a very experienced cyclist and spends a lot of time cycling, was airlifted from the crash scene by the Irish Community Air Ambulance service and was taken to Cork University Hospital.
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It is believed the rapid response of the first gardai and paramedics to arrive on the scene, before the air ambulance arrived, saved the victim’s life. He is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
Gardaí at Henry Street station in Limerick are carrying out the investigation and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
“Shortly after 7:15pm, Garda and emergency services were alerted after a cyclist was discovered with serious injuries on the R522 between and Feohanagh near Newcastle West,” a statement from the Garda said. “The cyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene and airlifted to Cork University Hospital. His injures are described as serious.
“A woman in her 20s was subsequently arrested by investigating Gardaí in connection with the incident," the statement said, adding the suspected had been detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Henry Street Garda Station.
"A car understood to be involved in the incident was seized for forensic examination. The scene has been examined by Garda Forensic Collision investigators and the road has since reopened to traffic.
“Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users who were travelling on the R522 between Dromcollogher and Feohanagh at the time of the incident with camera footage (including dash cam), is asked to make this available to investigating gardaí.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
