Gardaí appeal for witnessed after woman and teen die in separate weekend crashes

On Saturday evening, a 37-year-old woman named locally as Stephanie Fitzpatrick, died after the car she was a passenger in hit a tree in Co Clare.

The man driving the vehicle was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving and has since been released without charge.

Hours later, Jack Cummins (19) was killed after the car he was driving was involved in a single vehicle accident in Cork.

Separate garda investigations are continuing into the incidents.

Emergency services were alerted to the first incident at around 6.40pm on Saturday on the main N67 road, halfway between Lahinch and Ennistymon.

Ms Fitzpatrick was a passenger in the car, which is believed to have struck a tree before overturning and coming to a stop on its roof in the middle of the road.

Fire crews from Ennistymon station were dealing with another collision at the time, but sent available personnel from that scene to the second incident.

Additional fire service resources from Ennis station were also sent.

Ennistymon fire service first responders administered emergency first aid and CPR until an ambulance arrived.

They were helped by an off-duty paramedic and garda officers.

Despite their best efforts, Ms Fitzpatrick, who was originally from Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her body was later removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem examination will be carried out. The coroner for Clare has been notified.

The male driver, who is in his 30s, escaped serious injury but was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Ennis garda station.

He was later released without charge pending the conclusion of the garda investigation and completion of a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Shortly after midnight yesterday, gardaí in Cork were alerted to a single vehicle collision outside Kinsale in the Knockleigh area of Belgooly.

Mr Cummins, understood to have been the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

His body was removed to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Gardaí in Kinsale are appealing for witnesses or motorists who were travelling in the area at around midnight.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bandon garda station on 023 885 2200, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station," a garda spokesperson said.