Two children have been left without their parents a day after Christmas after a married couple were killed in a hit-and-run incident while crossing a road.
Anthony Hogg, 40, and his wife Georgina Hogg Moore, 39, died after they were knocked down close to the entrance of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, in west Dublin, on St Stephen’s Day. A man has since been arrested.
Gardaí believe Anthony and Georgina had been out shopping in the St Stephen’s Day sales at the shopping centre and were on their way home when they were knocked down. The driver of the vehicle – an Audi A7 – failed to remain at the scene.
Four pedestrians were also involved in the crash but no other injuries were reported. A suspect in the incident was arrested after he presented at Blanchardstown Garda Station a few hours after the crash and is co-operating with their inquiries.
Gardaí were satisfied last night the crash was an accident and the couple was not targeted specifically.
Ms Hogg-Moore’s sister, Katie Moore, yesterday promised to mind the couple’s children as she appealed to witnesses to come forward.
In a message posted online, she said: ‘Rest easy sis and bro I’ll always mind your babies. I am absolutely heartbroken.’
In a later message, Ms Moore wrote: ‘Thanks for all the texts and calls as you can imagine as a family we are absolutely broken hearted, but if anyone knows anything please come forward I beg you.’
The couple’s deaths have sent shockwaves through the Dublin community where they lived and worked, with friends and colleagues all taking time to remember them. A vigil was organised by the couple’s friend and neighbour, Nicole Seodin and held at 5.45pm last night, at the scene near Whitestown where the tragic accident happened.
She said: ‘Anybody who knew them knows they were beautiful hard working genuine people. All welcome to join us. Please share around. Our beautiful friends may they both rest in peace. The community is devastated.
‘Please pray for their beautiful children and family.’
People left floral tributes at the scene of the collision, and 24 hours after the crash, a group of more than 50 people – some holding balloons – held a vigil. Two other pedestrians witnessed the horrific incident and were able to offer gardaí descriptions of the vehicle and the driver. Later on St Stephen’s Day, a man presented himself at Blanchardstown Garda Station where he was arrested.
Fianna Fáil councillor John-Kingley Onwumereh said the community has been rocked by the ‘heartbreaking’ news of the couple’s death. He said locals had already been reeling since the death of another man in the Dublin 15 area following another car crash over Christmas.
‘We’ve had three fatalities on the roads in Dublin 15 over the Christmas week,’ he said. ‘It is shocking. It is a tragedy and my heart goes out to all the families involved. I am glad to hear that gardaí are investigating this latest incident and there is a man they are talking to already. As a local councillor, I have to say that I am absolutely devastated, and it’s absolutely taken a lot away from the festivities of Christmas, especially happening on St Stephen’s Day.’
Ruth Coppinger, People Before Profit-Solidarity (PBP-S) TD for Dublin West, also expressed her condolences, writing on X: ‘More carnage on the roads in Dublin 15. Deepest sympathies to the families of the two people killed in Blanchardstown. ‘Let’s hope the person responsible is brought to justice.’
Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly said yesterday morning: ‘Deepest condolences to the family, friends and neighbours of the two people who died following a horrific hit-and-run today along the Blanchardstown Road south. We simply cannot imagine the pain, hurt and anger of the family and community.’
One friend of the couple’s wrote online: ‘This is so wrong Georgina Hogg Moore, you were such a lovely girl always had a laugh with ya may you and your husband Anto, get the best bed together in heaven. Thinking of your kids and all your family at this heartbreaking time.’
Dublin West Labour councillor, John Walsh said: ‘This was an appalling and unnecessary tragedy and it is devastating for the local community. I want to express my condolences to the family members and friends of the couple who died. We have seen far too many hit-and-run incidents with tragic consequences especially in the run up to and over the Christmas holiday period. I would urge anyone with relevant information to contact the gardaí in Blanchardstown station.’
In a separate incident last Saturday, a mother-of-one was killed after a van allegedly struck gates of a property at Rathkeale, Limerick, in a suspected hit-and-run. Marguerita ‘Maggie’ O’Rourke (nee Sheridan), from Roches Row, Rathkeale, and her husband Denis, only celebrated the birth of their first child Edward last month.
Ms O’Rourke, 21, died after the incident at Bank Place, Well Lane, Rathkeale, at around 12.15pm, last Saturday, December 21. Danny O’Donoghue, 42, of Lower Main Street, Rathkeale, appeared before a special late sitting of Limerick District Court on Christmas Eve, charged with dangerous driving causing Ms O’Rourke’s death.
Also, in Dublin city centre, a person of interest has come forward following a hit-and-run in the Rathmines area of Dublin 6 on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the latest crash in Blanchardstown to contact them. On Monday last, gardaí issued an appeal for witnesses following a hit-and-run road traffic collision in Dundalk, Co. Louth on Sunday, December 15. Shortly after 1pm, gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a serious road traffic collision on the Armagh Road (R177) at the junction with the Toberona Road.
A car was struck by an SUV resulting in injuries to the sole occupant, a woman in her 70s, who was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where she remains in a critical condition. The two occupants of the SUV, which was earlier the subject of an unauthorised taking, fled the scene on foot and have yet to come forward.
Anyone near Blanchardstown Road South, between 5pm and 6pm on St Stephen’s Day, with camera footage are asked to give it to gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station. Anyone with information call 01 666 7000, or the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or ring any Garda station.
