Gardaí renew appeal for witnesses to fatal Carlow suspected hit-and-run

Gardaí in Carlow continue to appeal for information following the death of a motorcylist in a suspected hit-and-run.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to a road traffic incident on a local road between Rathoe and Ballon at Sandbrook, involving a motorcycle and a car, shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, April 24.

The motorcyclist, a male in his 30s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The car involved was found burnt out at the location, and the occupants of the car failed to remain at the scene.

The deceased was later identified as Tom Connors, aged 35, from Bunclody, Co Wexford, who had absconded from Loughan House open prison on Saturday, April 20.

In a statement, gardaí renewed their appeal for witnesses and said all aspects of the incident are "currently under investigation, led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) from the incident room at Carlow Garda Station".

Gardaí are particularly appealing to witnesses or individuals possessing video footage, including dashcam recordings, depicting a dark grey Volkswagen Passat CC or a black Honda CBR motorbike in the vicinity of Carlow town, Ballon, Rathoe, and Ballykealey on April 23-24.

"Additionally, investigators are urging any taxi drivers or other motorists who may have picked up or noticed individuals walking in the Sandbrook area of Ballon, Carlow, after 10:30 pm and into the early hours of the morning on the 24-25 of April 2024 to come forward with any information they may have," the statement from gardaí said.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059 913 6620, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.