Driver and boy involved in crash both ‘critical’

FEARS are growing for the driver of a car involved in a serious crash in south Tipperary on Saturday after his condition deteriorated in hospital.

A young boy who was crushed under the car when it left the road near Cashel on Saturday night and collided with a house remains in a critical condition. The driver, Joe O’Leary, 38, was yesterday described as critical after being listed as stable on Monday.

It is understood that Mr O’Leary has suffered swelling of the brain and that doctors at Cork University Hospital were yesterday assessing the extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, Jack Costello, 7, is reported to have suffered injuries to his leg, pelvis and hip and also lost a lot of blood when he became trapped under the black Audi at about 9.50pm on Saturday.

He was playing in the garden of the Costello family home at the time, while relatives gathered inside following an anniversary Mass for a relative. Doctors induced a coma in an attempt to prevent deterioration in his condition and loved ones are hoping that he has not suffered brain damage as they keep a vigil by his bedside at South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel.

The 25-year-old driver of another car involved in the incident on Saturday night was killed when his Audi ended up on its side on the road, about 4km on the Rosegreen side of Cashel.

One of Joe O’Leary’s sons, Ramie, 12, is said to be in a stable condition while another boy travelling in the car with them on Saturday is also stable after suffering serious leg injuries.

Mr O’Leary, a former senior hurler with the Cashel King Cormacs club, is married to Michelle and the couple have an older son, Kevin.

Jack Costello’s aunt and grandmother were also injured in the incident but are understood to be stable.

Saturday night’s horrific crash is being investigated by gardaí in Cashel and Cahir and witnesses have been asked to contact the station in Cahir on 052 45631.