An 11-year-old girl was in a critical condition in a Cork hospital last night after being struck by a Tour de France cyclist in Youghal, Co Cork.
The girl, who was not identified by staff at Cork's University Hospital but who comes from Ardmore, Co Waterford, was in intensive care being treated for head injuries which were described by a hospital spokeswoman, Ms Siobhan Hanley, as "serious".
It was not clear last night how the accident happened. It occurred on a stretch of the road where apparently there were no crash barriers. The girl is believed to have been struck by a cyclist as a small group of riders began to break away from the main group, or peloton, for a sprint.
The accident is being investigating by the Garda in Youghal and Midleton, Co Cork. A Garda spokesman said last night that the cyclist, whose identity is known, rejoined the race and completed the stage to Cork. The race resumes today in France.
"As far as I'm aware, the cyclist could be in Roscoff at this moment," said the spokesman, who added that the cyclist would be interviewed in due course.
He said that because the road was technically closed at the time of the accident and was redefined temporarily as a routeway for the duration of the race, the legal situation was unclear. The Tour organisers would, however, be expected to have public liability insurance.
The girl was given first aid in situ before an ambulance took her to an air-ambulance and the hospital. At the same hospital, doctors were last night treating the English rider Chris Boardman who was involved in a separate accident, also outside Youghal.
Boardman, wearing the yellow jersey to denote his status as race leader following his time-trial win in Dublin on Saturday, apparently clipped the wheel of another bike and crashed into a stone wall.
His forehead smashed on to the ground and Boardman suffered cuts to his face and fractured his wrist. He appeared also to have suffered some concussion.
The accident has put paid to his Tour hopes for this year.
Both accidents overshadowed what had otherwise been a perfect day - for both participants and public alike. The Tour wound its way in sunshine from Enniscorthy to Cork.
Every town and village along the route turned out to greet the cyclists and their enormous entourage which required three planes, from Cork Airport, and three ferries, from Ringaskiddy, to transfer everything and everyone overnight to France.
Reaction to the Irish organisation and to the reception the Tour was given between Dublin and Cork over the three days has been entirely positive from both riders and managers, most of whom have described the reception accorded them as friendly, enthusiastic and supportive.