A collision between a car and a bus in Ballylanders is reported by Gsoc – The Irish Times

A collision involving a car and a bus with children in Co Limerick on Saturday, in which a woman was seriously injured, has been referred to the office of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).

A Garda spokesman said: “In accordance with section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act, a case has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in relation to this incident.”

A spokeswoman said gardaí “cannot make any further comment” and said further inquiries “should be referred to Gsoc”.

Gsoc has a responsibility to carry out investigations into circumstances where it appears that an emergency action may have resulted in death or serious harm to a person, so that the public can be confident that investigations into such circumstances are independent. .

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A Gsoc spokesman confirmed it had received a referral from gardaí “regarding a road traffic accident in Ballylanders, Co Limerick on the afternoon of Saturday 26 October 2024”.

“The referral was made by the Garda Superintendent under section 102 (1) of the An Garda Síochána Act 2005,” a Gsoc spokesman said.

“The matter is now being dealt with by Gsoc under section 91 of the Poor Police Act 2005. Therefore, no comments will be made at this time.”

Section 102 of the An Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for an independent investigation into any matter which indicates that the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána may have resulted in death or serious bodily harm.

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The collision happened shortly before 3pm near the village of Ballylanders.

The injured woman was airlifted by the Health Authority’s National Air Ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she was treated for a serious head injury.

It is known that four more people received minor injuries and shock.

According to sources, 23 children were on the bus.

The R513 was closed to allow a Garda forensic investigator to carry out a technical examination at the scene.

A major emergency plan was launched involving the Guard and the National Ambulance Service, firefighters from Kilmallock, Co Limerick and north Cork.

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The Shannon-based Coastguard Rescue Helicopter (115) was also sent to the scene but stopped after a short time.

A Garda spokesman said: “Just before 3pm gardai and emergency services responded to reports of a collision between a car and a bus on the R513 in Ballylanders, Co Limerick.”

“One of the passengers of the car, an adult woman, was taken to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries.

“All passengers on the bus were medically assessed at the scene and no one required immediate hospitalisation.”

A spokesman said there was “no further information” and that “a full report from the scene is awaited”.