Garda probe as boy, 8, dies after being hit by car

Gardaí are investigating the death of an 8-year-old boy who was knocked down at a rugby club as an awards ceremony was taking place.

Ben Markey was playing with rugby friends in the car park area of Enniscorthy Rugby football club — where he was attending a youth awards night on Saturday — when he was struck by a sports utility vehicle at 7.15p.m. More than 100 children and their parents were gathered inside the clubhouse.

Ben was rushed to Wexford General Hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy was carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital.

Gardaí cordoned off the scene of the accident for a forensic examination.

His parents, Tony and Gillian Markey, of Myshall, Co Carlow, are trying to come to terms with the tragic death.

Tony coaches underage teams at the club, and his son Ben played for the U10s.

Rory Fanning, chairman of Enniscorthy Rugby Club, extended his sincere sympathies to the boy’s family.

“We sincerely thank the gardaí, the ambulance service, Wexford Hospital and all others who helped with this tragic event,” he said in a statement.

It is understood the schoolboy was playing when he ran between two parked cars and was hit by the Hyundai 1X, driven by a local man, at about 7.15pm.

Town councillor Paddy Kavanagh was handing out awards to young players at the club’s “mini awards night” when the accident happened.

Mr Kavanagh, a club member, said everyone was devastated as the news unfolded.

“It’s a devastating thing to happen, devastating on the parents, on the child and on the driver of the car,” said the councillor.

“It was near the end and we got word there had been an accident in the car park.

“People didn’t realise how bad it was. When you hear of a child knocked down you would be hoping it’s just a few scratches.

“It was only afterwards when we went out we saw the ambulance there. Everybody was just devastated “

Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.