Pensioner arrested in connection with fatal accident

A MAN in his 70s was arrested yesterday by gardaí investigating a fatal accident that claimed the life of a 19-year-old trainee hairdresser.

Sian Roberts died after her Ford Ka was involved in a collision on the Glanmire bypass in Co Cork on January 22 last.

She had been driving home from work at Jeff Devine’s hairdressing college and salon on Academy Street in Cork city when the accident occurred.

It happened shortly before 6.30pm on the northbound lane of the dual carriageway, as Ms Roberts was driving to her home in Fermoy.

Ms Roberts, who was a past pupil of Loreto College, Fermoy, and Bruce College in Cork city, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her car was one of three vehicles involved in the accident.

All three vehicles had been travelling in the same direction.

The driver of one of the other vehicles was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries.

Gardaí closed off the dual carriageway overnight and for part of the following day as forensic experts carried out an investigation of the crash scene.

A senior Garda spokesman confirmed yesterday that a pensioner had been arrested by gardaí.

The man, who is believed to be from the north Cork area, was taken to Cobh Garda Station where he was interviewed by gardaí investigating the accident. He was detained for a number of hours under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The pensioner was subsequently released without charge, but gardaí confirmed that they are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“We are appealing for anybody who witnessed the accident, but who have yet to come forward, to contact us,” the Garda spokesman said.

Witnesses are asked to ring Cobh Garda Station at 021-4908530.