Woman run off road appeals for witnesses

Sharon Fitzpatrick was on her way to the Cavan Equestrian Centre and had three children with her in her lorry (aged seven to 14 years) when she was involved in the accident at about 7.30pm on the evening of Friday, May 8. She claims she was forced off the road by a big articulated lorry that came around a notorious bend on the narrow road on her side of the road. Ms. Fitzpatrick said that the lorry didn"t stop and continued on the road. Cavan Gardaí investigating the incident stopped a lorry later at Edgeworthstown and while the driver admitted passing the accident, he said he did not cause it. Ms. Fitzpatrick told The Anglo-Celt that because witnesses at the scene believed the driver of the lorry had been apprehended, they left without giving their details to either herself or the Gardaí. She"s now appealing for witnesses and individuals who helped her at the scene to get in contact with her or the gardaí. Ms. Fitzpatrick is particularly keen to talk to the driver of a jeep who took her children away from the scene to wait safely in a lorry further down the road. She"s also anxious to talk to a gentleman in a white shirt with a badge (perhaps an Order of Malta badge) who also assisted her at the scene. While, Ms. Fitzpatrick and the children were not seriously injured, she says they could have been killed and the driver never stopped. Not only that, it could cost her up to €60,000 to replace her lorry, and it cost €3,500 to have the truck removed from the scene. Councillors in the area have long since been calling for road improvement roads on that particular narrow stretch of the N55 at the bad bend near the Mullahoran football pitch. While, Ms. Fitzpatrick admits that she does not clearly recall what the lorry was like as she was focussing on the road and trying to avoid the accident, her daughter believes the lorry had a white cab and a red canopy. Cavan Gardaí are investigating and can be contacted on 04943-31300 and Ms. Fitzpatrick can be contacted on 086-8314346.