A 12-year-old boy who died in an horrific crash this morning was driving a relative's car while his family slept.
The boy, who is just weeks away from his 13th birthday, was the only occupant of the Nissan Qashqai when it collided with a lorry at around 2am in Limerick.
Gardai believe the boy had taken the car earlier in the night while other family members were asleep in the Newcastle West area, around 25km from Adare.
Officers are looking into whether the schoolboy took the SUV for “a spin” and believe he was driving home on the N21 at at Rineroe near Adare when the accident happened.
Residents are in shock at the age of the driver and have expressed their sadness at the loss of a young life.
Resident Joseph Donoghue told the Irish Independent : "I thought I hadn't heard it right when I listened to the news reports of the accident and they gave the age of the driver.
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"It is a shocking thing to happen and your heart goes out not only to the family of the poor boy who lost his life but also to the truck driver involved."
And councillor Michael Collins said added: "It is shocking to see any life lost in a road traffic collision but when it is such a young life, it is very hard to comprehend.
"This terrible accident has certainly cast a dark cloud over the entire community. Everyone here is very shocked."
The crash happened in Limerick shortly before 2am and the youngster died at the scene.
Officers say his body has been taken to the morgue at University Hospital Limerick, the Irish Mirror reports.
Police are keen for anyone in the area with dashcam footage to come forward to help the investigation.
A Garda spokeswoman said: "Shortly before 2am, Gardaí and Emergency Services were alerted following a collision between a car and a lorry on the N21 at Rineroe near Adare.
"The driver of the car, a male juvenile, was fatally injured.
"He was the sole occupant of the car. His body has since been removed to the morgue at University Hospital Limerick.
"The coroner has been notified.
"The driver of the lorry, a man in his 40s, did not require hospital treatment.
"The scene is preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Diversions are currently in place on the N21, with city bound traffic being diverted from Adare via Croom.
"Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.
"Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N21 near Adare area at the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."
