Schools fear as stolen car drove on wrong side of road

Gardai in Ballymahon say they are following a definite line of inquiry after a stolen car was reported driving on the wrong side of the road at speed in the vicinity of several schools in on Monday.

The dangerous incident happened around 9am that morning after several sightings of a silver BMW driving dangerously along the Longford Road before travelling right into the centre of Ballymahon, going past several local schools at Drinagh in the process. The vehicle, stolen earlier in Cavan, went through a pedestrian crossing at speed along its route before it crashed into another vehicle behind the Dean Egan Hall a short time later.

The male driver then made a run for it on foot and Gardai are currently searching for the perpetrator. At the time of going to press (Tuesday) the culprit has yet to be located, but Gardai say they are following a definite line of inquiry in the case and the investigation is ongoing.

The crashed vehicle was later recovered by investigating Gardai and technically examined on Monday. A number of witnesses to the incident have come forward since Monday to assist the investigation, a garda spokesperson confirmed, adding that anyone who saw the car driving erratically in the vicinity of the town on Monday morning, or can assist the investigation in any way is asked to call Ballymahon Garda Station 090 6432303 or Longford Garda Station on 043 33 50570.