Joyriding warning after death of teenager
Paul Walsh, aged 17, from Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, died when he lost control of the Opel Corsa, and crashed into a pier on the outskirts of the city.
The accident, which happened at Lotamore on the Old Youghal Road in Mayfield at 1.35am yesterday, left his 20-year-old passenger with multiple injuries.
A Cork University Hospital spokesman said the young man, who comes from Gurranabraher, was in a “serious condition”.
Fire brigade units from Ballyvolane and Cork city attended the scene and cut both men from the wreckage. Mr Walsh was pronounced dead at the scene.
Garda sources indicated the men had been sighted driving the car around Cork city at high speeds during the early hours of yesterday morning.
Sections of the Old Youghal Road were closed yesterday as gardaí from Mayfield carried out further investigations.
The car had been stolen earlier at a service station at Skehard Road on the southern side of the city.
Superintendent Mick Finn, based at Anglesea Street Garda Station, said the increase in joyriding was causing concern.
Senior gardaí in other parts of the city also confirmed a rise in the number of cars being stolen.
“The message should come from their peers as much as adults and parents that it isn’t cool,” said Supt Finn.
“They should be told they will end up killing themselves and other people or end up in jail. It is dangerous and stupid.”
It is the second time in less than two weeks that joyriders have stolen a car from the Skehard Road petrol station.
A taxi driver required surgery after breaking his hand trying to prevent joyriders stealing his car from the forecourt shortly after 1.20am on August 31.
Following a scuffle thieves escaped in his car, which was later recovered in Knocknaheeny.
In yesterday’s incident, the owner of the Opel Corsa didn’t lock his car.
“People should always lock their cars, even if they are absent from them only a short time,” said Supt Finn.
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