Man arrested after high-speed crash damages parked cars in Cork’s Ballintemple

Cllr Peter Horgan said the crash highlighted the urgent need for safety works at the Ballintemple junction after several vehicles were damaged

A man in his 50s has been arrested following a high-speed crash in a busy suburb of Cork city this morning.

Gardaí attended the scene of the incident, which occurred in Ballintemple village at approximately 9.15am.

As seen in footage circulating online, a white Ford Focus was observed driving at speed through the junction at Beaumont Drive and Ballintemple before colliding with parked vehicles.

In further footage, the driver is seen exiting his vehicle, appearing disoriented and agitated and falling over at one point.

A number of vehicles were damaged in the collision, according to a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána.

The driver, a man in his 50s, was arrested at the scene and taken to a Garda station in Cork city, where he is currently being detained.

“Investigations are ongoing,” the Garda spokesperson said.

‘It is a miracle that no-one was killed’ 

Labour Party councillor for the Cork city South East ward, Peter Horgan, who is chair of the city council’s transport committee, said the “near miss” incident underlines the urgent need for safety measures in the area.

“Notwithstanding the driver behaviour that caused this crash, this junction is in desperate need of safety works,” said Mr Horgan.

“It is a miracle that no-one was killed. We could have been describing a horrific situation with lost lives.

“I make no apologies for seeking to slow down traffic in Cork, and this section of road is currently exempt from the 30km speed review that is currently underway. I will be seeking all of Ballintemple village to be included.” 

Mr Horgan also urged anyone with footage to make it available to the investigation.

“WhatsApp was flooded with videos in a short while after the incident,” said Mr Horgan.

“Anyone with original footage should make this available to gardaí today.”