'He brought joy into every room': Tributes as boy who died in Carrigaline collision named locally

The boy died from his injuries in hospital on Wednesday evening

André Ladeiro

The young cyclist who died four days after being struck by a car while cycling in Cork has been remembered as a bright, curious and kind young man whose smile and personality lit up a room.

André Ladeiro, from Carrigaline in Cork, died in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street in Dublin on Wednesday where he had been in critical condition since the collision in Carrigaline on Saturday morning.

His parents are originally from Portugal but have been living in Carrigaline for some time. André was a second-class pupil at Owenabue Educate Together NS and was preparing to return to school in just over a week.

In a moving tribute on Thursday, the school said the entire school community is shocked and devastated at his death as it extended its deepest sympathies to André’s parents, Filipa and Cesar, his brother Tomas, and to all of his extended family and friends.

“André joined us in September 2020, the very first day the school opened,” the school said in a statement.

“From the day he started his journey with us, he brought joy into every room he entered.

“André was a bright, curious boy who above all else was unfailingly kind. André’s smile and personality lit up every room he entered, and every person he met was better for having met him.

“Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan.

“Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are supporting and advising the school in our efforts to assist our school community at this time.

“We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time.

Our hearts are broken. The world has lost an incredible young man. André, you will never be forgotten.

André was cycling with his father on Saturday morning when he was struck by a car on the Cork Road leading into the town at the Ballinrea roundabout at around 9.20am.

He suffered severe head and upper body injuries and was rushed first by ambulance to Cork University Hospital before later being transferred by ambulance, under garda escort, to CHI at Temple Street where he was placed in an induced coma.

He passed away on Wednesday evening with his family at his bedside.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath said news of his death has left people in town devastated and heartbroken, with a real sense of shock and sadness palpable in the area.

“We realised after the incident just how serious it was and we were all hoping and praying for the best, that he would recover but to hear this dreadful news this morning is just truly devastating,” he said.

“There was a community gathering in the town on Monday in solidarity with his family and if any light is to come out of this it is that the community is and will rally around the family, and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.

“This has reminded us all of the fragility of life.” 

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

A spokesperson said: "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Cork Road area near Carrigaline between 9am and 9.30am on Saturday 12 August 2023 are asked to make this footage available to gardaí.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."

Four road deaths in 24 hours

It brings to four the number of people who have died as a result of collisions on Irish roads in the last 24 hours.

On Wednesday evening, a teenage girl died after a collision involving a pedestrian and a car in Limerick city.

Earlier that day, a male cyclist died after being involved in a road traffic crash in Clare, while a man died after falling from a truck in Carlow at about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

There have been 108 deaths on Irish roads so far in 2023, according to Garda statistics, though these do not account for two men killed at a rally event in Sligo.

That is an increase of 14 on this time last year, up from 94. Meanwhile, the number of road collisions has also jumped from 90 to 103.

At the current rate, Ireland is on track for nearly 170 deaths on the roads this year. If that were to happen it would be the highest number since 2016.

The number of fatalities on the roads is up 10% on last year, with an increasing trend of deaths among passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians.