Gardai appeal for witnesses after young boy, 5, dies following road collision in Laois

An investigation is underway after a five-year-old boy died in a road collision in County Laois this Saturday afternoon.

Gardaí and emergency services say they attended the scene of the fatal incident at Kilminchy, Portlaoise at approximately 4.20pm.

"A male pedestrian, aged 5 years, was fatally injured and was removed from the scene to Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in a serious condition. He was pronounced deceased a short time later and a post mortem examination will take place in due course," said a garda spokesperson who added that the female driver of the car, aged in her 40s, was not injured.

Gardai say the road is currently closed and will remain closed overnight to facilitate a technical examination which is due to be carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators on Sunday morning.

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Gardaí in Portlaoise are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the fatal collision to contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and who were travelling in the area between 4pm and 5pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise garda station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.