Boy (12) who was ‘horse mad’ killed in Clondalkin collision

A 12-year-old boy who was "horse mad" died in west Dublin today when the pony and trap he was travelling in collided with a truck.

The incident took place on St Cuthbert's Road in Clondalkin at about 1.40pm.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.

Two other boys who were also on the pony and trap were not injured.

It is understood the boy was from the Melrose Estate and was a pupil at Talbot Senior National School.

A local councillor who did not wish to be named said the boy’s family and grandparents live nearby.

“He would have been horse mad. Like a lot of the young people in the area, he just loved horses.”

Another councillor said there were a lot of children in the area who ride horses. “The horse thing has kind of died down, but there is a tradition of young guys going out with horses on the road, and they’re not really big enough [to do it safely].”

The road where the incident occurred was said to be “fairly straight” and “not particularly dangerous”. Another councillor said: “It’s busy enough but it’s not a main road. I was down there about 45 minutes afterwards and it was just terrible.”

He added that the three boys were thrown from the trap. “I was told the cart veered towards the truck and the three lads were thrown off. The other two lads were just lucky. Maybe the horse was spooked.”

Gardaí have appealed for witness to contact Clondalkin Garda station on 01-6667600, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.