Gardaí make hit and
run arrest

Gardaí investigating a suspected hit and run incident in Ballymahon earlier this month have made an arrest .

Detectives from the south Longford town arrested the man in the Co Westmeath area last Friday before taking him to Longford Garda Station for questioning.

He was released without charge later that day.

Gardaí are now in the process of compiling a file to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration.

It comes after a woman in her late 70s was knocked down as she attempted to cross Ballymahon’s Main Street on January 12 last.

The woman was struck close to the town’s traffic lights crossing shortly after 5pm.

Gardaí launched a public appeal for information for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

They also issued a plea to the driver of a white van, believed to have been involved in the incident, to do likewise.

It’s not known if Friday’s arrest was as a result of that appeal or whether follow up enquiries helped officers further their investigation.

It’s understood gardaí are treating the development as a significant breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the pedestrian who was caught up in the incident has since been released from hospital.

Anyone who may still have information is asked to contact Ballymahon Garda Station at (090) 6432303.