Toddler’s tragic death shocks town

A YOUNG couple were yesterday trying to come to terms with the tragic death of their three-year-old daughter.

Little Casey Singhland was caught underneath a truck as she played on her tricycle only yards from her home in Hawthorn Drive, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick.

The horrific accident, which happened at 4.15pm on Tuesday, has shocked the entire town.

Superintendent Tom Gavin, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said: “The parents are shattered. They are trying to come to terms with this terrible tragedy, which is all the worse because it is a young child.”

Casey’s parents Marion Reidy and Anthony Singhland and her two older sisters and younger brother were being comforted by relatives yesterday.

Shocked neighbours offered their condolences to the family.

Parish priest Monsignor Liam Boyle led prayers at the family home yesterday evening, joined by local priests, Fr John Keating and Fr Richard Keane.

“It’s an awful tragedy, everyone is shocked,” said Fr Keane.

It is understood the accident happened when ESB workers were fixing public lighting in the area. It is thought that when the driver got back into the truck he didn’t see Casey or the tricycle. Supt Gavin said the investigation was ongoing and they would be interviewing the driver, who is said to be devastated.

A post mortem was carried out at Limerick Regional Hospital yesterday, after which funeral arrangements will be made.

Fine Gael Senator Michael Finucane, who lives in Newcastlewest and is a friend of Casey’s grandparents, offered his condolences to the grieving family.

“My heart goes out to the parents and grandparents at this trying time. They are emotionally gutted by this terrible tragedy.”

The Reidy and Singhland families are well known in the area. The Reidys are originally from Monagea parish, which is beside Newcastlewest and Marion’s parents Nora and Jimmy are well known in both areas. Anthony Singhland’s parents Gráinne and Tony run a successful drapery business in Newcastlewest.

“The two families are popular and respectable people,” Supt Gavin said.

Hawthorn Close is a new estate of about 50 houses on the edge of Newcastlewest and there are a lot of young families in the area. Neighbours said they were all devastated by the death, knowing it could have happened to any of their own children “There’s nothing you can say. Everyone’s shocked, children are upset. The whole circumstances are distressing. Sympathy also has to go to the driver,” one neighbour said.