Gardaí say car driving ‘erratically’ before hit-and-run

A man remains in garda custody in connection with the death of a young girl in Dublin’s Phoenix Park over the Easter weekend.

Vanessa Siatka, aged almost two, was struck on the North Road by a car which had failed to stop, at about 6.25pm on Monday. She sustained serious injuries and died overnight at Temple Street Children’s Hospital. She has not been formally identified.

Gardaí at Cabra station are investigating the incident and have arrested a 24-year-old man for questioning.

It is understood he is suspected of drunk driving and is currently assisting gardaí with their inquiries into the exact circumstances of the girl’s death. A car was said to have been seen driving “erratically” in the area prior to the crash.

He was the driver of the car in which there were two other passengers. Garda sources have indicated he handed himself in for questioning as an investigation was being established to seek his identity.

His period of detention at Blanchardstown Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act was extended by 12 hours from the original 24 hours on Tuesday.

Vanessa Siatka, who was from the Waterville area of Blanchardstown in west Dublin, was pronounced dead in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Phoenix Park was crowded with families over the weekend due to fine weather.

“For a child younger than two losing their life, it’s scared a lot of families around here,” said Fianna Fáil councillor David McGuinness from Blanchardstown.

Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have seen a green 02 D Toyota Corolla in the area at the time or who can assist with the investigation to contact Cabra station at (01) 6667400, the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any other station.