Pedestrians rushed to hospital after accident in Offaly

It occurred last night.

A group of pedestrians in Co. Offaly have been rushed to hospital after they were hit by a car in Birr town centre. The incident occurred just after midnight on Sunday when a car mounted the footpath on O'Connell Street and hit the pedestrians. They were then rushed to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore with injuries, which Gardai have said that none of the injuries are life-threatening. According to the Irish Mirror, a teenage boy was arrested at the scene of the incident on suspicion of drink driving. He was taken to Birr Garda Station where a blood sample was given and he was later released with further investigations on the way. The scene of the incident has since been closed off with technical examinations underway and local diversions in place. A spokesperson said: “Gardai are investigating a road traffic collision that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, December 19, 2021, in Co Offaly. “At approximately 12:20am, a car collided with a number of pedestrians after mounting a footpath at O'Connell Street in Birr. “Gardaí arrived to the scene and arrested the driver (a male juvenile in his late teens) on suspicion of drink driving and took him to Birr Garda Station. A blood sample was provided and he was later released pending further investigations. “A number of persons were taken to Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore with injuries. At this time, it's reported none of the injuries are life threatening. “The scene at O'Connell Street in Birr is currently preserved pending technical examination. Local diversions are in place. “Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were in the Emmet Square or O'Connell Street areas of Birr between 12:15am and 12:20am are asked to make this footage available to investigate Gardai. “Anyone with information is asked to contact Birr Garda Station on 057 9169710, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”