Woman held over fatal hit and run freed

A file has been sent to the DPP following the arrest of a woman in connection with a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a Polish father of one.

Superintendent Derek Smart confirmed that an Ennis woman in her 30s was arrested at her home on Saturday and brought to Ennis Garda Station for interview.

The man, named locally as Tomas Nowakowski, 38, died after being struck by a car in the Tobartaoscain area of Ennis at around 10pm on Wednesday.

A married man, Mr Nowakowski was only a short distance from his home when he was struck.

A woman had initially presented herself at Ennis Garda station on Thursday to say she drove over a body lying on the ground at Tobartaoscain on Wednesday.

Supt Smart said the woman arrested has been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

He said gardaí were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

Gardaí have already carried out a forensic examination of the woman’s vehicle.

Supt Smart said initial results from a postmortem carried out by State pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy confirmed the injuries were consistent with a vehicle coming into contact with the victim. He wouldn’t comment on whether the postmortem found the man suffered injuries while lying on the ground.

Mr Nowakowski worked at Hillbilly’s fast-food restaurant in Ennis and a spokesman for the group said: “Staff in Ennis are in shock at the moment.”