Gardaí search for hit-and-run driver after boy, 12, hospitalised

Gardaí are continuing their search for the hit-and-run driver of a silver British-registered BMW who knocked down a 12-year-old boy in Cork City.

Although the Garda press office declined to confirm they had located the suspect vehicle, it is understood they are forensically examining a silver 320 series BMW which they believe may have been the car which hit the Romanian boy, while he was crossing the road at Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool.

The car, which had a number of passengers in it, struck Pardilian Harna at around 9.50pm on Wednesday. It then drove away in the direction of the city centre, via Watercourse Road. The force of the impact knocked its driver’s side wing mirror off.

The North Mon pupil was rushed by car to Mercy University Hospital after the accident.

Yesterday he was moved to Cork University Hospital for further tests.

He sustained serious injuries, but his condition is understood to be stable.

Members of his family witnessed the incident, which occurred near the former post office.

Local parish priest Fr John O’Donovan said that the thoughts and prayers of the whole community were with them.

“Blackpool is a very quiet place and it is always extremely upsetting when something like this happens. We are offering any kind of support that could prove a comfort to the family,” he said.

Bill Dunlea, chairman of the Blackpool Action Group — which aims to integrate members of the Roma community into the area — said Pardilian’s family were “a lovely and very tight-knit family”.

He said they were “thought of very highly in the community” and that Pardilian had become “a Blackpool boy through and through”.

Garda forensic crash scene investigators are analysing the wing mirror left at the scene. Other gardaí are studying CCTV footage and put the word out to crash repair firms in case the driver tried to get a new wing mirror fitted.

It is believed gardaí discovered the car in a car park in the city centre yesterday. It’s hoped it may yield clues as to who was driving it when the youngster was hit.

lGardaí have appealed to witnesses to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.