“I am there for my community when they need us most”
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are recruiting for enthusiastic and committed On-Call Firefighters from local communities across the country.
Advertisement
The ‘Your Town, Your Team, Your NIFRS’ campaign is aimed at those who live or work within 5 minutes of their local On-Call Fire Station, who want to make a real difference in their community.
As part of NIFRS’ commitment to recruiting the best possible candidates, information evenings are being held in every recruiting station throughout the duration of the campaign.
NIFRS is recruiting On-Call Firefighters across 26 Fire Stations including:
Advertisement
Ballycastle
Ballyclare
Glengormley
Portrush
Portstewart
Whitehead
Armagh
Ballynahinch
Crossmaglen
Holywood
Keady
Lurgan
Newcastle
Newtownhamilton
Portaferry
Warrenpoint
Comber
Belleek
Clogher
Dromore (Tyrone)
Irvinestown
Lisnaskea
Enniskillen
Newtownstewar
Pomeroy
Carryduff
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Western Area Commander David Doherty said: “We are inviting new applicants to join our dedicated team of On-Call Firefighters who provide vital support in protecting local community.
“Our On-Call Firefighters respond to the same types of incidents that Wholetime Firefighters do, alongside balancing firefighting duties with other jobs, businesses and family responsibilities. On-Call Firefighters demonstrate incredible dedication to protecting their local community and I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining our team to apply.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage any local business owners in these areas who are willing to allow On-Call Firefighters to be released from their employment to attend emergency calls, to contact your local On-Call Fire Station for more information.”
Megan Walsh from Crossmaglen combines her role as an On-Call Firefighter alongside working in a children’s entertainment centre, volunteering in her local community and attends the gym regularly.
She said: “My primary employer, a children’s entertainment centre, is very supportive of my role as an On-Call Firefighter. They allow me to respond to fire calls with a minute’s notice.
Advertisement
“Knowing that I am helping others and ensuring I am there for my community when they need us most, it’s very worthwhile.”
Oran Swift combines his role as an On-Call Firefighter alongside working as a bricklayer and looking after his young family.
He said: “Being an On-Call Firefighter has provided me with transferable skills that I can use every day. I work as a bricklayer and keep my pager on during the day and then clock off when I’m spending time with my family.
“Once you find the correct balance, the role is incredibly rewarding. I am helping others, gaining new skills and discovering leadership strengths I never knew I had.
Advertisement
“It’s so important living in small rural villages that we all chip in together to keep people safe.”
The closing date for applications is Friday 13 March at 12noon anc candidates can apply online and download application packs from NIFRS’s website
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live?Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simplyclick here
Bolton Council’s local Bee Network committee met last week for the first time in nearly two years since their first and, until now, only meeting.
It was confirmed that the committee, originally established when the buses were first being franchised, would now be held quarterly.
Nick Fairclough, interim deputy director of buses at TfGM, told councillors they had inherited the bus network from the system of private operators.
Speaking at last Monday’s meeting (February 16), he said: “The way in which that network has developed over a hundred years or more is that routes haven’t been designed with an integrated network in mind.
Advertisement
“In many places, we still see buses competing with each other or competing with the train or Metrolink in other parts of the city region.
“They also don’t properly serve the needs of the modern economy in many places – they don’t adequately serve industrial sites or retail parks that are incredibly important for the economy as we have it today.”
Nick Fairclough speaks at the local Bee Network committee (Image: Bolton Council)
Mr Fairclough noted the success of the already implemented 24-hour bus services, including the 36 between Manchester and Bolton, and the 615 linking Middlebrook and Wigan.
He said: “I think where we are is that we’ve got a really strong in where the priorities are in Bolton, but we’re keen to build on that and keen to work with you to identify those.”
Advertisement
Cllr David Wilkinson said: “I’m glad to see we’re looking at retail parks and industrial areas because that, to say the least, is something that has been a bugbear for 20 odd years.
“People in Westhoughton who want to work at Logistics North have to go by private transport because there’s nothing to link us there.”
He noted several new industrial and housing developments planned near Westhoughton, such as Gibfield Park, and said they would need “really improved links”.
The committee was held in Bolton Town Hall (Image: Bolton Council)
Cllr Sean Fielding said: “To see that Wigan got a connection reinstated to Middlebrook, yet we don’t have our own, and it’s in our borough – I’m sure you can appreciate that that’s incredibly frustrating for members.
Advertisement
“And I support Cllr Wilkinson’s comments around ensuring that we adapt to the amount of development that is proposed to take place, particularly in the west of the borough, as it happens rather than waiting for it to happen and responding to it.”
Mr Fairclough said: “We certainly agree. I think, in terms of Middlebrook and Logistics North, we see two areas that are not currently served as well as they should be.
“Certainly our planning team is looking very closely at both of those areas now and we’re aware of the need to improve connectivity both from a jobs perspective and an access to retail perspective.”
He said that connecting new developments to the bus network early is “something we’d really like to do more of”.
Advertisement
He said: “One of the benefits of local control of the bus network is that we should be able to get in early and be proactive.
“Look at what’s coming down the pipeline in terms of residential, commercial, and industrial development and try to build a market for the bus network – perhaps before everyone is moved in, in a way that wasn’t really possible in the previous commercial market.”
Yep, that’s right, you’ve been advised to take a tennis ball with you.
No, not so you can serve an ace up the aisle to catch an attendant’s attention, it’s actually to avoid stiffness or aches while in the air.
It can also be used to enhance circulation, intended to be used by gently applying pressure and rolling it up and down the thighs, legs, or even shoulders, according to health experts.
Advertisement
Registered osteopath and qualified sleep therapist Tracy Hannigan has recommended using a tennis ball in tandem with another teeny piece of paraphernalia.
Oh poppet, it’s a military base. Why did you think you could visit? It’s not a destination for your holibobs. https://t.co/J4hvYmQiM6
She told The Metro: “A great tip is to find a hand towel, put the ball in the middle of it and roll it like a sausage. When you then apply pressure using the ball, it’s easier to position and will prevent it from skidding out of position, which can be painful.
“A tennis ball is small and light and can help you to apply soothing pressure to points you might otherwise not be able to reach.
Advertisement
“You can even stretch your lower back in your plane seat, by crossing your legs and leaning forward, as if you’re trying to reach down to the crossed-over foot with your elbow,” she added.
Here are the primary NHS tips for managing stiffness:
1. Movement and Exercise (Most Important)
Keep Active: Regular movement is the most effective way to reduce stiffness.
Gentle Movement: Avoid staying in one position for too long. Move for short periods every hour, even if it is just a short walk.
Advertisement
Low-Impact Activity: Engage in swimming, cycling, yoga, or tai chi to improve mobility without overloading joints.
Stretching: Perform daily stretches for affected muscles, moving joints through their full, comfortable range. Hold stretches for 20 to 30 seconds, repeating 2 to 3 times a day.
“Little and Often”: It is better to move gently throughout the day rather than doing one long, intense session.
2. Heat and Cold Therapy
Advertisement
Heat Therapy: Use hot water bottles, heat-rub creams, or have warm baths to relax stiff muscles and joints.
Cold Therapy: Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling, especially if the stiffness is due to a recent sprain or strain.
Temperature Control: Keep warm to prevent stiffness in cold weather.
There is no escaping the wet weather over the next few days but there is the prospect of a better outlook on the horizon
The Met Office have released their latest weather forecast for Northern Ireland over the next few days. Today was billed as having bright intervals and occasional blustery showers which would see windy conditions at times.
Advertisement
Some heavy rains are expected on Sunday with the chance of thunder. The maximum temperature will be 11 °C as tonight sees more showers anticipated with more frequent patches of rain due across the north and west of the region. The start of the work week will bring sunny intervals with the odd shower still expected to haunt Monday. Freshening south-westerly breezes will see a maximum temperature of 12C.
The mid-week forecast will see a cloudy outlook for Tuesday to Thursday with outbreaks of rain which will occasionally be heavy. Still, some dry spells are expected as a mild spell of weather is due to come in, according to the forecast. As the days continue to get lighter, people will be looking forward to spring eventually appearing around the corner.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live?Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simplyclick here
The first opportunity to explore the gardens will be on Monday, May 25, when the gates open alongside a popular plant fair.
For many visitors, it marks the return of what has become a much-anticipated annual event in the County Durham countryside.
Thornton Hall Gardens (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
Thornton Hall is not a visitor attraction in the traditional sense. It is a working farm, and the gardens are opened to the public just a handful of times each year.
In recent years, word-of-mouth praise and social media have quietly turned Thornton Hall into a ‘must-visit destination’ for garden lovers, history enthusiasts and those seeking a different kind of day out.
Advertisement
Visitors have described it as “unexpected”, “joyfully theatrical” and “like stepping into a secret world”, a reputation that has steadily grown.
The gardens sit beside Thornton Hall itself, a Grade I listed building constructed around 1550 by Ralph Tailbois.
Thornton Hall and Gardens, near Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
One of the oldest buildings in the Borough of Darlington, the hall is a rare architectural blend of Tudor, Elizabethan, Jacobean and Georgian styles, reflecting centuries of change.
What makes the gardens particularly remarkable is that they are a relatively recent creation.
Advertisement
When Michael and Sue Manners moved to Thornton Hall in 1989, the walled gardens were little more than grassy paddocks grazed by cattle.
With no formal training and no grand design, Sue began transforming the land by hand.
Thornton Hall and Gardens (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
More than 30 years later, that hands-on approach has resulted in a richly planted and characterful space.
According to its website, visitors can expect more than 100 varieties of roses, alongside collections of delphiniums, peonies and irises.
Advertisement
There are secret corners with quirky sculptures and tucked-away seating, as well as a meadow, wildlife ponds and a productive vegetable garden.
Despite attracting hundreds of visitors each year, the limited opening dates give Thornton Hall a fleeting quality. Miss a date, and you may have to wait another year.
After the May 25 opening, the gardens will welcome visitors on Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, Sunday, June 28, and Wednesday, July 1, 8 and 15.
All opening days run from 10am to 4pm.
Advertisement
Admission is £10 per person, payable at the gate.
However, numbers are limited by the setting, and regular visitors advise arriving early, particularly for the first opening in May, which is expected to be especially popular.
Large queues formed since early morning for tickets priced at €99 including fees
Ruairi Scott Byrne and Sarah Magliocco
20:28, 22 Feb 2026
US rockers Foo Fighters have announced a surprise last-minute gig in Dublin for Monday night.
Tickets were made available at the 3Olympia Theatre Box Office on Dame Street in Dublin from Sunday afternoon. Since early morning, lengthy queues formed for the concert, with tickets costing €99, fees included.
This announcement follows online speculation that the band had been seen in Ireland over the past week, with alleged sightings of the band’s van in Dingle.
Advertisement
The band last took to the stage in Ireland in 2019. Established in 1994 by ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters have sold in excess of 50 million albums globally.
In a post on social media, the organisers outlined several rules regarding ticket sales, reports Dublin Live.
Promoter MCD Productions stated there is a limit of two tickets per person. Only physical debit or credit cards can be used for purchase, cash and contactless cards are not accepted.
Advertisement
Tickets are being sold on a first come first served basis. The gig has an age restriction of 18+.
Those requiring accessible tickets are asked to inform staff at the time of purchase. Transfers are not permitted.
The band have also announced intimate gigs at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday, February 25, and at Manchester’s O2 Ritz this Friday, February 27.
Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Googlemeans you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here
The 33-year-old actor, who played Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson in the biographical film I Swear, made his comments after invited guest Davidson shouted the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were presenting a Bafta.
As explained by the NHS, Tourette’s is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, known as tics, with Davidson’s symptoms involving outbursts including swearing.
Sinners actors Jordan and Lindo, who were presenting the award for special visual effects, paused briefly before continuing with their introduction onstage after the slur was picked up by microphones in the audience.
Advertisement
Host Alan Cumming then thanked the audience for their understanding and help ‘to create a respectful space for everyone’ as he reminded the audience that Davidson had ‘no control’ over them, explaining: ‘You may have noticed some strong language in the background.
‘This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience.’
Campaigner John Davidson, who has the condition and whom Aramayo portrays in I Swear, was heard making several involuntary outbursts during the Bafta ceremony (Picture: Alan West/Hogan Media/Shutterstock)
This included shouting the N-word at Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo as they presented the first award of the evening (Picture: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty)
Speaking after his shock double win, Aramayo – who had become tearful on stage over winning the best actor gong, his second of the night – told Metro and other outlets in the winners’ press room: ‘I’m just really happy that I Swear has shone a spotlight on something that is really, really misunderstood.
‘I think that there’s still a lot more education needed around Tourette’s and what it actually is and how we all, as a society, can help.’
He also said that learning more about the syndrome had been the most eye-opening part of working on I Swear, as ‘it’s complicated and complex and it requires us to have grace’.
Advertisement
Aramayo added: ‘It’s far more than – there’s lots of tics that people don’t see. There’s people who live with Tourette syndrome who you don’t know that they are because you think tics are a certain thing, but they’re not always like that.
‘I think just for me, personally, what I learned straight away was that’s true and it then made me passionate about wanting to spread that with the work.’
‘There’s still a lot more education needed around Tourette’s,’ said Aramayo after his award wins (pictured in I Swear as John Davidson with Maxine Peake as Dottie Achenbach) (Picture: One Story High/Tempo Productions/I Swear/Graeme Hunter)
There has much discussion online in reaction to Davidson’s use of the slur, and the BBC’s decision to keep it in the broadcast edit, with some arguing that Tourette’s is a deeply misunderstood condition while others where much less sympathetic to the language used – especially given the grave offence it could cause.
Davidson was also heard shouting ‘shut the f**k up’ during a speech from Bafta chair Sara Putt and yelled ‘f**k you’ when Arco’s directors took to the stage, as well as ‘bulls**t’ during housekeeping instructions at the start, where attendees were asked not to swear.
Campaigner Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s aged 25 and received an MBE in 2019, reportedly left the show in the second half as no further outbursts were heard.
Advertisement
As per Variety, it’s said that Davidson left of his own accord as Bafta would ‘under no circumstances’ ask an ‘invited guest’ to leave the ceremony.
Advertisement
Cumming also made a further statement in the show, saying: ‘Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight.’
Meanwhile The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power star Aramayo also confirmed that he’d had the chance to speak with fellow best actor nominee Ethan Hawke (for Blue Moon), after recalling valuable advice he’d shared with Aramayo and his classmates on a visit to Julliard during his best actor acceptance speech.
Aramayo beat the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Jordan to be crowned best actor (Picture: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty)
‘I think he was grateful for me mentioning it but I meant it and it really did have an effect on everyone in that room in my year, when he came in.
‘I wanted to meet him but I thought that I might not get the chance so I thought, well I’m mentioning it now then!’
He also praised the Hollywood star as ‘amazing’ and said it would be ‘great’ if he had the chance to work with him in the future.
Advertisement
Full list of Bafta winners 2026
Best film
One Battle After Another
Leading actor
Robert Aramayo – I Swear
Advertisement
Leading actress
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Outstanding British film
Hamnet
Advertisement
Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr (director), Wale Davies (writer)
Adapted screenplay
One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
Advertisement
Original screenplay
Sinners – Ryan Coogler
Filmnot in the English language
Sentimental Value
Advertisement
Director
One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
Supporting actress
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Advertisement
Supporting actor
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Children’s and family film
Boong
Advertisement
Costume
Frankenstein
Special visual effects
Avatar: Fire And Ash
Advertisement
Production design
Frankenstein
Sound
F1
Advertisement
Makeup and hair
Frankenstein
Original score
Sinners
Advertisement
Animated film
Zootropolis 2
British short animation
Two Black Boys In Paradise
Advertisement
Best British short film
This Is Endometriosis
Casting
I Swear
Advertisement
Cinematography
One Battle After Another
Editing
One Battle After Another
Advertisement
Documentary
Mr Nobody Against Putin
Rising star, voted for by the public
Robert Aramayo – I Swear
Advertisement
Fellowship
Dame Donna Langley
Outstanding British contribution to cinema
Clare Binns
Advertisement
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Tucked between Stockton-on-Tees and Billingham, Wynyard Park has long been synonymous with exclusivity. Its sweeping drives, secluded cul-de-sacs, and immaculate lawns form the backdrop to some of the region’s most impressive homes — an address where grandeur meets discretion.
A legacy of luxury
Rising to prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Wynyard Park quickly established itself as a beacon of North East affluence during a period of rapid investment and growth. The estate sits beside Wynyard Hall, a grand Georgian mansion once home to Sir John Hall — the former Newcastle United chairman and the visionary behind the MetroCentre.
Hall’s influence shaped not just the stately hall itself, but the entire estate that grew around it. His vision brought together heritage and modern luxury, attracting a roster of headline residents over the decades.
Advertisement
A star-studded postcode
The estate’s prestige didn’t come from its properties alone — it was defined by the calibre of residents who called it home.
Duncan Bannatyne, businessman and Dragons’ Den star, once owned a five-bedroom mansion there. Featuring a games room, golf course views, and a spectacular double-height atrium, the property sold in 2011 for £800,000, marking the estate’s enduring appeal to high-profile entrepreneurs.
Kevin Keegan, former England manager and football legend, also lived on the estate, his home reflecting the openness and scale that have become hallmarks of Wynyard’s design.
Alan Shearer, another Newcastle United great, was among those who chose Wynyard Park during the height of his career — further solidifying its ties to footballing royalty.
Wynyard Hall: the heart of the estate
Though technically separate from the residential development, Wynyard Hall remains its spiritual centrepiece. Once an aristocratic seat, the mansion today operates as a luxury hotel, spa, and events venue, its timeless architecture and heritage continuing to elevate the area’s prestige.
Discreet luxury in the North
Beyond the gates, Wynyard Park is more than just a property hotspot — it’s a symbol of aspiration. Its modern architecture, landscaped gardens, and bespoke interiors are designed for those who crave space and serenity, with convenience just a short drive away.
While celebrity turnover has slowed in recent years, the estate still commands a powerful allure among the North East’s high-net-worth residents and professionals. For those seeking a blend of luxury, privacy, and legacy, Wynyard Park remains one of the region’s most exclusive places to live.
Forget London’s glitz or Cheshire’s footballer belts — Wynyard Park quietly built its own legacy, offering the rich and famous a peaceful slice of North East elegance.
Alexander Blue was found badly beaten outside his home in Glasgow’s west end in June 2002.
A review of the evidence in the 23-year-old unsolved murder of a Glasgow businessman is taking place. Alexander Blue’s brother says it is an “absolute disgrace” that to this day no-one has been charged over the crime.
Advertisement
The 41-year-old, who ran a company called the Taxi Centre, was found badly beaten outside his home in Glasgow’s west end in June 2002 and died in hospital two days later from massive head injuries.
A neighbour had found him injured on the driveway of his home on Dundonald Road in the upmarket Dowanhill area. No one has been charged over the murder despite repeated police appeals – and the case remains unresolved after two decades.
Alexander’s older brother Billy Blue has been seeking justice for years. With the 25-year anniversary of Alexander’s death approaching in June next year, he said the police and Crown Office should “hang their heads in shame” if no one is charged by that point.
He told the Press Association he felt the family had been “brushed off” by police and the legal system, saying: “How bad does it have to get before you get an outside force in? You have to get justice, you can’t let people kill people and just get away with it.”
Advertisement
Alexander’s brother believes there is enough evidence to identify the culprit behind his brother’s death, saying it was “no ordinary murder”. Billy, from Glasgow, said: “It’s been known for a considerable length of time who’s responsible for Alec’s murder. I would like to see them brought to justice, it would be a vindication.”
He said the Crown Office was “definitely” reviewing evidence around the case. Billy, 67, said: “What was horrendous was my mother lost her son, and that’s always been my driving force. She’s never got over that. She’ll never get over what happened that day.”
Billy says the looming 25-year anniversary of Alexander’s death may spur the police on to take more action on the case. He has had recent meetings with police and Crown Office officials including the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC. Both agencies have promised to keep him updated.
Advertisement
He said: “I think they know what’s coming in about 18 months, if they get to that point with total failure. The fact that nobody’s been charged with murder is a disappointment. But the fact that nobody’s been charged with anything related to that murder is an absolute disgrace.”
He was critical of Police Scotland, saying his family has been treated like “garbage” for years. The Crown Office said it works closely with the police to review unresolved homicides to ascertain if there are any new evidential developments.
A spokesman said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service recognise the suffering of families who have been denied justice. The murder of Alexander Blue remains an unresolved homicide and we are absolutely committed to reviewing such cases along with Police Scotland.
Advertisement
“Unresolved homicides are never closed, and we work closely with police to explore any new evidential developments which would allow us to bring such cases to court. The Blue family will continue to be kept informed should any significant developments come to light.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “This is obviously still a difficult time for the Blue family who have suffered distress and heartache over the last two decades as they seek answers and justice for Alexander.
“Police Scotland never considers cases closed and this case remains under review. There is no barrier over the passage of time to the investigation of unresolved homicide cases.
Advertisement
“Homicide Governance and Review actively keeps all undetected and unresolved homicides under review and meets regularly with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in an attempt to review these cases and pursue resolution.
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE
“We will continue to update the families of the victims of such crimes with any new developments, where appropriate.
“Police Scotland along with our partners in the Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services, continue to relentlessly pursue advances in technology and investigative approaches which help bring those responsible for serious and violent crimes to justice and provide answers for families of the victims of such crimes.
Advertisement
“Scientific and forensic developments, combined with information from the public and determined investigative work can yield new opportunities in such cases.”
On Sunday night (22 February), actors including Timothée Chalamet, Paul Mescal, Michael B Jordan, Jessie Buckley and Emma Stone arrived at the star-studded ceremony honouring the best in British film.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark comedy One Battle After Another was the big winner of the year, winning six of its 14 nominations, including Best Film.
“I absolutely can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’m here looking at people like you, in the same category as you,” Aramayo said during his speech as he pointed to DiCaprio in the audience. “Never mind being stood up here.”
Irish actor Jessie Buckley, meanwhile, took home the award for Best Actress thanks to her searing portrayal as Anne Hathaway in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, which also won Outstanding British Film.
Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe is the seventh person to have been killed on the road on the island of Ireland over the course of the weekend
20:36, 22 Feb 2026Updated 20:36, 22 Feb 2026
The mother of a teenager killed by a car which failed to remain at the scene has said her “heart will never be the same again.”
This paper has learned that the tragic teenager killed in a hit-and-run on the Slane Road in Navan, Co Meath on Saturday night was 16 year old Mia Lily Keogh O’Keeffe.
Mia, who was from Navan, was walking her dog and was at a pedestrian crossing when a driver struck her with his vehicle and then failed to remain at the scene at around 8:20pm.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the area and Mia was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, where she was subsequently declared dead.
It is understood Mia was a student at Loreto Secondary School in Navan, has a number of siblings and comes from a well known family in the area.
Advertisement
Gardai were initially searching for the driver, but it is understood that the suspect, who is a man in his 20s, later handed himself in to gardai. He was then placed under arrest and is being questioned over the incident.
It comes as Mia’s devastated mother Louise has taken to social media and posted in a comment:
“My beautiful baby was taken by someone who fled and left her alone. My heart will never be the same again.”
In a statement gardai have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Advertisement
“At approximately 8:20pm, Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident involving a car and a pedestrian. The car involved failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a 16-year-old female, was treated at the scene before being transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where she was later pronounced deceased.
“A male in his 20s has since been arrested in connection with the investigation and a car has been seized for technical and forensic examination. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region,” gardai said.
Gardai added that the Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.
Advertisement
“The scene remains preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local traffic diversions are in place.”
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 8:00pm and 8:45pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Navan Garda Station on 046 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The crash comes amid a weekend of carnage on Irish roads that saw six other people killed in separate incidents on the island of Ireland.
Advertisement
A woman, aged in her 80s, died in a single-vehicle collision in Rooaun, Eyrecourt, Co Galway at around 8.15pm on Saturday evening. The elderly woman was the driver and sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a separate incident, two people died in a crash involving a van and a car at around 12pm on the Tramore Road R675 at Robin Hill in Tramore, Co Waterford. A man and a woman, both aged in their 40s, who were the occupants of the car, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The occupants of the van, a man aged in his 50s and a juvenile male, were taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, a further three people died in a road crash in Armagh, with four more people injured in the incident. The victims, two men aged 31 and 48 and a woman, 23, died at the scene of the accident outside the Moy on Saturday night.