Definite line of inquiry on hit-and-run

Almost two weeks after local man Frank Nulty was found dead following a hit-and-run on the N3 near his home, his bereft family are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Their plea comes as investigating gardaí confirm they are following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the incident. Gardaí have ramped up their investigation by releasing the registration number of the car they believe was involved.

“We’d ask that anyone with information come forward and assist gardaí with their investigation at this time,” a spokesperson for family told The Anglo-Celt this week.

Mr Nulty (57) died having suffered significant injuries after being struck by a passing vehicle on Thursday night, August 18.

The Mazda 6 car, manufacturer identified ‘Deep Crystal Blue’, is considered essential in terms of evidential value in the case.

Registration 151-G-6239, the whereabouts of the 2.2 litre engine diesel Skyactiv-D 5-door Sport is currently unknown.

The fresh garda appeal focuses on anyone asked to carry out repairs to such a car, especially dealers, mechanics, scrap merchants and garages, to make contact with them.

The car is local to the Ballyjamesduff area, and gardaí say the vehicle sustained damage to the left front headlight, front bumper, left front passenger wing, and windscreen. It also has a missing wing mirror on the passenger side.

Gardaí furthermore narrowed down the timeline for the accident.

Shortly before being struck, Mr Nulty exited a bus from Virginia town, which dropped him off on the northbound side of the road, travelling in the direction of Cavan, at around 10pm on August 18.

He was struck while crossing the two-way carriageway at an area locally known as Billis Bridge by a car travelling southbound, towards Virginia.

Well respected in his local community and a grassroots member of Fine Gael, Mr Nulty was just minutes from his home at Drumfomina, New Inns, Ballyjamesduff, when the hit-and-run occurred.

The timeframe means the Kyte manufacturing worker’s body may have been lying by the side of the road for close to 14 hours before being found by a passing cyclist shortly after midday on Friday, August 19.

Mr Nulty was pronounced dead by emergency services personnel at the scene. He had suffered injuries consistent with a pedestrian involved in a hit-and-run.

A post-mortem was conducted at Cavan General Hospital, the results of which gardaí have not released for “operational reasons”.

Forensic Collision Investigators, who completed a full technical examination of the scene following the discovery of Mr Nulty’s body, determined he had been struck by a vehicle, which subsequently failed to remain at the scene.

Since the accident, gardaí called to local businesses and other premises along the N3 to gather available CCTV footage to assist with their investigation.

Mr Nulty was laid to rest last week in the cemetery adjoining St Mary’s Church, Clonaphilip, his local church.

He is predeceased by his parents John and Agnes. Mr Nulty is survived by his sister Geraldine Pritchard, Mountain Lodge; brother Tommy, New York; niece Ashling; nephews Michael, Gavin and Kevin; grandnephews, grandnieces and extended family.

The Garda appeal for witnesses includes road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) travelling on the N3 Cavan to Virginia Road at the time the hit-and-run occurred. This also includes vehicles travelling on minor roads in the area of Billis, Ballyjamesduff area between the hours of 9-11pm, or persons in the area who may have observed activity that otherwise drew their attention.

Bailieborough Garda Station can be contacted on 042-9694570, or information can be passed to the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or at any Garda Station.