Gardaí investigating death of French tourists

GARDAÍ are examining CCTV footage as part of their investigation into the deaths of two French tourists who were killed by a vehicle on Wednesday night.

The two females, aged in their 50s, were staying with a group of nearly 60 tourists at the Sheldon Park Hotel on the Naas Road, Dublin.

The group had flown-in only a few hours earlier from Leon, France and after a meal at the hotel, the two women, along with a third tourist, went for a walk nearby.

They were then struck by a car just before 11pm. It is believed the two women were on the footpath when the incident occurred. Apparently, the car had mounted the footpath while overtaking and hit the women.

Gardaí arrived at the scene at the Kylemore Road between Bluebell Avenue and Landen Road junctions, but the two women were pronounced dead.

A full investigation was launched at Ballyfermot Garda Station.

“We are looking for anyone who may have seen a four-door silver car driving erratically on Wednesday night to contact us,” said local Superintendent John Harnett yesterday.

Witnesses are asked to call local gardaí on 01 6667200 with any relevant information.

Jackie Cosgrave, manager of the Sheldon Park Hotel, said the group of tourists had now changed their plans to travel to Galway and instead, plan to return home. Both the deceased tourists had children, Ms Cosgrave told RTÉ.

Gardaí confirmed a man in his twenties was arrested at the scene after the two women were struck.

The man in custody can be held for 24 hours and it was confirmed that tests for alcohol were carried out on him.

It remained unclear last night whether another person was in the vehicle when the incident occurred.

A damaged car across the road from the accident was examined by gardaí and later taken away for technical tests while CCTV footage from the direction of City West was also being trawled through by gardaí.

Some 33 pedestrians have been killed so far this year, bringing to 132 the number of people killed in collisions.