Community in shock after tragic death of Kathleen

THE DEATH of an elderly woman after a hit-and-run at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road in Tallaght last week “caused a lot of shock” in the community, according to a councillor.

Kathleen Furlong, who was aged in her 80s and was a regular churchgoer in St Mark’s Church in Springfield, where her funeral will be held this Friday, died after being hit by a car on September 8.

The driver failed to stop at the scene but gardaí located the car involved a short time later, and a man aged in his 40s has since been arrested in relation to the fatal road traffic collision.

A 42-year-old man has appeared before Tallaght District Court in Dublin charged with dangerous driving causing death.

The road traffic incident shocked the community of Springfield, where Ms Furlong regularly attended church.

Ms Furlong was also involved in the local Lourdes Pilgrimage Group.

Parish priest Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy told The Echo: “Everybody was shocked when they heard the news, the poor woman was only going to collect her pension.

“I can’t even imagine what her family are going through. Everyone is shocked and so dumbfounded that it happened so close to where she lived.”

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Charlie O’Connor echoed Fr O’Shaughnessy’s comments and offered his sympathy to Ms Furlong’s family.

“It has caused a lot of shock in the parish, because people knew her from coming and going,” he said.

Kathleen Furlong died in the road traffic incident (Image: An Garda Siochana)

“It’s very upsetting, what happened. I’m sympathising very strongly with her family – it’s just so sad.”

In her death notice on RIP.ie, Ms Furlong is described as the beloved wife of the late Leo and loving mum to Lorraine, Peter, Philip, Paul and Joanne.

Sadly missed by her heartbroken family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours, friends and Molly.

Ms Furlong’s funeral will be held this Friday, September 15, at 11.30am in St Mark’s Church, Springfield, and afterwards to Mount Jerome Crematorium.

Full details available on RIP.ie.

Philip Ormond, 42, with an address at Deerpark Place in Kiltipper, Tallaght was remanded in custody with consent to bail in Tallaght District Court on Monday.

He was arrested following a fatal traffic collision in Tallaght last Friday morning in which 84-year-old Kathleen Furlong died after she was struck by a car at the junction of Fortunestown Way and Cheeverstown Road, shortly before 11am.

Mr Ormond was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in south Dublin.

Garda Niall O’Rourke told Judge Patricia McNamara that the accused had been charged with dangerous driving after he was arrested on Saturday night.

There was no application for bail and he is due to appear again via video link at Cloverhill District Court this Friday for directions from the DPP.

A nominal bail bond was set at €100.

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