THE GARDA Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has been asked to investigate an incident which has left one man seriously injured after two motorcycles collided after being flagged down by gardaí at a well-known speed trap location in Co Clare.
The incident occurred at about 11am yesterday at Killula on the main N18 Ennis-imerick dual-carriageway between the Newmarket-on-Fergus and Shannon interchanges.
As two motorcycles approached the speed trap, a garda flagged them down and signalled to them to pull in to the hard shoulder. As the two motorcyclists slowed down and prepared to stop, it appears that one may have cut across the other resulting in the collision.
One man in his 40s was seriously injured while the second motorcyclist escaped unhurt and was able to drive his motorcycle from the scene.
It is understood that although serious, the first man’s injuries are not life-threatening.
Units of the gardaí from Ennis and Shannon as well as additional members of the Traffic Corps rushed to the scene to assist their colleagues. It has been confirmed however that neither motorcycle came in contact with any member of the force, their vehicle or equipment.
A forensic examination of the scene was also carried out while the ombudsman commission was contacted and notified.
A Garda spokesperson said, “Gardaí were operating a speed check at the location and had flagged down two motorcycles, which had been travelling together, when the collision occurred. One man was injured in the collision while the second man was not hurt.
“We asked the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to investigate the incident, in accordance with procedure, as it occurred close to a Garda speed check. One lane of the southbound dual-carriageway remained closed until they arrived to investigate the matter.”
Two ambulances, a rapid response advanced paramedic unit and a local doctor attended the incident. There was confusion early on in relation to the location of the collision with one ambulance and the advanced paramedic unit being originally sent to a location several kilometres away. In the meantime, gardaí attended to the injured man until medical assistance arrived.
The gardaí who had been operating the speed trap and the second motorcyclist are expected to be interviewed.
One motorcycle was carrying English number plates while the second appeared to have been registered in a country on the continent.