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The details of both the Portarlington and Red Cow accidents are combined here because, as will be seen, these two Christmas Week 1997 tragedies have something else in common

Irish Emigrant 29 - 12 - 97 Issue 569

The body of cyclist Gerard O'Neill (36), of Clondalkin, was found by a passing motorist on the hard shoulder of the Naas dual carriageway at around 2:45am on Monday. Mr O'Neill was the victim of a hit-and-run incident and it is thought that his body may have been lying at the side of the road for up to an hour. This death made headline news when it was learned that some 12 hours later a detective garda had been arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. An unmarked squad car belonging to the National Bureau of Crime Investigation had been abandoned near the scene of the accident. It had been issued to the detective on Sunday. The 44-year-old garda, who has not been named, has been suspended from duty and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Another pedestrian, Alan Jones (29) of Garryhinch, died on St Stephen's Day when he was knocked down by a car in Portarlington.

Irish Emigrant 5 - 1 - 98 Issue 570

A second garda officer is expected to face charges in relation to a road death. Last week I reported that Alan Jones (29) had been knocked down and killed by a car in Portarlington. It has since emerged that an off-duty garda was arrested at the scene.