Community in 'shock' after several injured in crash

The local community is "shocked and devastated" following the crash in south Dublin yesterday in which six teenagers and a woman in her 40s were injured, a local councillor for Dún Laoghaire has said.

A car mounted a footpath outside a row of shops on Oliver Plunkett Road in Monkstown Farm, Dún Laoghaire, at around 3pm.

Three girls and three boys, aged between 13 and 15, were brought to CHI Temple Street and CHI Crumlin to be treated for a range of injuries, some described as critical.

There have been reports the driver suffered a medical episode and lost control of the car, which then mounted the pavement.

The woman remains in hospital for medical attention.

Another 15-year-old boy who witnessed the scene was taken to CHI Tallaght for medical attention.

Fine Gael Councillor Lorraine Hall said the teenagers had been standing on a footpath on a nice evening, which made the incident all the more shocking.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Hall said: "You expect to be safe standing on a footpath.

"This is a situation where we have young people standing on a footpath and, of course, you expect to be safe standing on a footpath. I think that's what makes this so shocking."

'Close-knit' community

The community in Monkstown Farm is very close-knit, she said, and when something like this happens, the shock is felt everywhere.

"Many families have lived here for generations. People know each other, they look out for each other, and there's a very strong sense of community here," Ms Hall said.

"So when something like this happens, the shock is felt right across the community."

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident to contact them.

Several family liaison officers have been appointed to support the relatives of those involved in the crash.

A senior investigating officer has also been assigned and gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage.

They say a dark brown Nissan X-Trail travelled from the Kill Avenue direction onto Oliver Plunkett Road.

Anyone who saw the vehicle between 2.45pm and 3.15pm is also being asked to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dún Laoghaire Garda Station on 01 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.