This article is from page 1 of the 2012-02-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS man remains in a serious condition in hospital following a weekend car accident in which his 33-year-old cousin was killed.
Wayne Fitzgerald was the passenger in the green Toyota Corolla that crashed on the main Tulla to Ennis Road on Friday night last.
The 22-year-old is believed to have sustained serious head and neck injuries during the single-vehicle accident.
The driver, his cousin Michael Maloney Jnr, was fatally injured in the accident.
Originally from Glencinnane, Kildysart, Michael had played under-age hurling for his county.
He captained the Clare under-16 hurling team, and had been involved with Clarecastle GAA club in his early years. Sport came naturally to him, according to local people, as he enjoyed both football and hurling.
The eldest of a family of three, Michael was the only son of Tina and Seán Maloney, and brother to Fiona and Lisa.
He is to be buried today (Tuesday) following a private ceremony.
Meanwhile, gardaí in Ennis are appealing for information about the accident.
The tragic incident occurred at approximately 7.50pm at Clooney, Quin, on the main Ennis to Tulla road, not far from Clooney Church.
The green Toyota saloon, which contained just the driver and passenger, collided with a wall and a tree.
The scene was attended by local emergency services and both occupants were taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, where Mr Maloney died from his injuries.
Gardaí are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
“The key times of interest to the gardaí are between 7pm and 7.45pm. Did anyone see this car in the Clooney-Quin area during these times and did they notice anything about this car which should be brought to the attention of the gardaí?” a Garda spokesperson said.