Man left with two broken legs after collision with van driven by off-duty garda
Gardaí are investigating an incident on the M7 Limerick to Dublin motorway in which a man was injured in a collision with a van driven by an off-duty garda.
The man, who is lucky to alive, was crossing the motorway after his car broke down when he was struck by a white Renault van.
Gardaí said the man sustained two broken legs and other minor injuries and in a "stable" condition in hospital.
"He's in a stable condition, he has severe injuries to his legs. He has two broken legs and other minor injuries as well," a senior Garda said.
It is believed the injured party's navy blue Renault Scenic car had broken down on the side of the motorway prior to the collision. Gardaí believe he had been attempting to cross the road when the collision occurred.
"He was seemingly crossing the dual carnage way...and he was hit by a van. (The driver) took excellent evasive action, but unfortunately nipped him slightly on the left-hand side and caught him with the mirror of his van," the garda explained.
"The (garda) was fairly traumatised. He was off duty, minding his own business in traffic," the garda source added.
The injured man was taken from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where his injuries are not life-threatening.
"He was taken to hospital from the scene, the Gardaí sealed off the scene and everything was examined. The investigation continues. There are a number of witnesses," said the garda.
The motorway which was closed for several hours causing traffic chaos alongside routes from Kerry, Clare and Cork into and out of the city via the Limerick Tunnel, has since reopened allowing traffic to move freely, Gardaí said.
As there was a member of the force involved in the incident, officers attached to the Garda Ombudsman Office are also carrying out inquiries as a matter of normal protocol.
