Woman hit by Garda car in Clonskeagh dies

Gardaí have intensified their investigation into last month's collision between a Garda patrol car and a pedestrian in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin, after the 74-year-old woman died in hospital yesterday.

Mary Seavers died from her injuries in Beaumont Hospital, just over three weeks after the crash at Vergemount on May 22nd.

She had been walking out of Clonskeagh Hospital, where she had been visiting a friend, when the patrol car careered off the road and crashed into a bus stop.

A Garda spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing. However, "now that the circumstances have changed, there will be more statements to take. It is too early to say when the investigation will be completed."

Another female garda was a passenger in the car, said by gardaí to have been responding to an emergency call. In a statement, the Seavers family asked the media to respect their privacy "at this sad and difficult time".

"We would like to express our appreciation of all the care and kindness that the medical and nursing staff at both St Vincent's and Beaumont hospitals have shown to Mary over the past few weeks. Finally, we would like to thank friends, family and those who have extended messages of sympathy to us."

Eye-witnesses reported hearing a siren at around 4pm, when the incident happened. The patrol car was seen leaving the road shortly after taking a wide, sweeping bend. The car then hit Ms Seavers and mounted the bench of a bus shelter opposite the hospital entrance.