Boy, 3, and grandparents killed in horror crash as car carrying family hits wall

30 August 2023 , 10:06

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Tom O’Reilly, 45, his wife Bridget, 46, and their three-year-old grandson Tom died in the crash

Tributes have poured in for two grandparents and their toddler grandson who tragically died in a car crash in Ireland last night.

Tom O’Reilly, 45, his wife Bridget, 46, and three-year-old Tom died when the car they were travelling in hit a wall near Cashel, Co Tipperary. Two front-seat passengers, understood to be the young boy's parents, were taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Devastated family members took to social media last night, saying they were heartbroken over the loss. One person wrote: "What is the world coming to. You were too good for this world mummy and daddy and my little nephew.

"My heart is in pieces. God why. May you get the best bed in heaven. Love and miss you so much." Another relative said: "RIP to my brother Tom and my sister-in-law Bridge and baby Tom. You will be missed."

Devastated family members took to social media last night, saying they were heartbroken over the loss

Gardaí have launched an investigation into the collision, and are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch. In an updated statement issued shortly after midnight, the force said: "The single vehicle collision occurred shortly before 9pm this evening when a car hit a wall in the Windmill Knockbulloge area of Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

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"Gardaí can now confirm three fatalities as a result of this collision. The adult male and adult female rear seat passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene. Their bodies remain at the scene. An infant boy was also fatally injured during the collision; the body of the infant boy has been taken to Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel."

Forensic collision investigators will examine the scene today, added the spokeswoman. An incident room has been set up at Cahir Garda Station and a senior officer is leading the investigation.

Forensic collision investigators will examine the scene today (PA)

Michael Lowry, the member of Irish Parliament for Tipperary, earlier wrote on Facebook that he understood it was "two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandchild" who "lost their lives" in the tragic crash. There is an "enormous sense of shock" in the community, he added.

Fourmilewater Fr Michael Toomey, parish priest of Ardfinnan and Newcastle, Fourmilewater, also wrote on social media: "Our Tipperary county suffers again. Thoughts and prayers for those who have died in tonight’s tragedy in Cashel."

It is the second fatal crash to take place in Co Tipperary within a week, after four people were killed when their car also hit a wall. Luke McSweeney, 24, his 18-year-old sister Grace McSweeney and Zoey Coffey and Nicole Murphy, also 18, died on Friday evening in the town of Clonmel.

The three teenage girls had been on their way to a party to celebrate receiving their Leaving Certificate exams, when the vehicle they were travelling in overturned and collided with a wall. Their funerals will be held later this week, after thousands attended a vigil in Clonmel on Sunday to mourn the huge loss.

Paul Healy