Man questioned in hit-and-run death investigation

A FILE is being prepared for the DPP following a hit and run accident in which a 65-year-old pedestrian was killed.

Following an appeal for information on the death of Finbarr Walsh on Thursday evening, a man walked into Gurranabraher Garda Station in Cork at midday yesterday and was questioned in connection with the death.

Mr Walsh, from Connolly Road, Ballyphehane, was struck as he was walking along Lee Road at approximately 5.30pm on Thursday. The car that hit him failed to stop.

Gardaí were contacted by passersby and Mr Walsh, a keen walker who recently retired, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body was taken to Cork University Hospital where a post mortem was carried out yesterday.

Superintendent Tom Hayes, who is leading the investigation, said a man in his 30s from the Cork area had “been helping gardaí with their inquiries” and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He appealed for anybody who may have witnessed the accident to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station at [phone], or Anglesea Street Garda Station [phone].

Meanwhile, gardaí have named a 32-year-old man who died when he lost control of his car and crashed into a wall near his home in Passage West, Co Cork.

Lee McNamara from Pembroke Wood, Passage West, an unmarried painter and decorator, died after his Honda Civic crashed into a wall at Rockingham House, on the outskirts of the town at approximately 10.55pm on Thursday. No other vehicles were involved.

He became the 398th person to die on Irish roads so far this year.

Gardaí are appealing to anybody who may have passed the scene to contact them. Information can be given to Togher gardaí at [phone].