Widow, 90, killed by car on her way to bingo

A 90-year-old widow died on Tuesday night after being knocked down by a car as she made her way to a weekly bingo session.

Julia Sugrue was only a short distance from her home in St Finian’s Terrace, Waterville, Co Kerry, when the accident occurred. She was walking to bingo in the Waterville Inn, and a friend had gone on ahead of her.

She is survived by a daughter, Sheila Marie, who lives in Holland. She recently celebrated her birthday with her daughter, friends and neighbours.

She was yesterday described locally as being “as fresh as a daisy’’ and someone who looked much younger than her age.

“She worked in restaurants here for much of her life and was a very pleasant, jovial woman who loved her one night out each week playing bingo. We’re all very sad to see her go,’’ said one local person, who asked not to be named.

Ms Sugrue was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 22-year-old woman, was uninjured.

Gardaí in Caherciveen are appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened shortly before 9pm. It was raining heavily at the time.