Family to unveil memorial to boy, 8, killed by dangerous driver in Cork two years ago

Filipa and Cesar Ladeiro, parents of André, who died at Cork Road, Carrigaline, Cork, in August 2023. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The heartbroken family of a child killed after being hit by a vehicle in Cork two years ago will unveil a special memorial to him on Saturday.

Eight-year-old André Castro Ladeiro died at Cork Road, Carrigaline on August 12, 2023, when he was struck by a Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

The boy was out with his parents and younger brother on a family cycle when he was fatally injured at a pedestrian crossing located just 20 metres from a roundabout.

“André was just a few meters ahead of me, he asked me if he could go ahead to press the button [at the pedestrian crossing], and he did, and we were waiting for the green man," his father César, later said.

“[When the green man appeared] he started crossing. I saw him vanishing in front of my eyes,” he added.

“We had our hopes going up and down every moment [while he was in hospital] but there were no reactions from André, he was just laying there.

“Sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and hope that this is just a bad dream."

In February, John Moynihan (aged 62) of Parkanillane, Kilnamartyra, Macroom, Co Cork, was jailed for three years with the last year suspended for dangerous driving causing the child’s death, he also received a six-year disqualification from driving.

André Castro Ladeiro (pictured) was out with his parents and younger brother on a family cycle when he was fatally injured at a pedestrian crossing located just 20 metres from a roundabout.

This Saturday the child’s parents will hold a memorial unveiling for André who was born on December 22, 2014. The event will take place at 2pm on Cork Road, near Centenary Garden in Carrigaline.

Following Moynihan's sentencing in February the child’s father Cesar Ladeiro's said he hopes the convicted man "suffers after his days are done".

Mr Ladeiro told RTÉs Liveline: "You can get prison sentence of 'up to' 10 years. These two key words — 'up to'. So, you can drive dangerously, kill, and you can have 'up to'.

"It's not from. It's 'up to'. So, in the end, the judge did what was in the law, and according to his judgment, and according to the law.

"I hope that if he [Moynihan] has any religion that he continues to suffer after his days are done."