SEVEN pedestrians have been injured after a priest lost control of his car outside a church in west Dublin this morning.
The horror incident occurred outside the Immaculate Conception Church in Laurel Park, Clondalkin at around 10.20am.
Two people were seriously hurt in the collision and have been rushed to St James’s Hospital.
A further five pedestrians suffered non-life threatening injuries. Thirteen were treated at the scene in total.
Dublin Traffic - Gardaí & emergency services are currently dealing with a traffic collision in the grounds of a church at New Road, Clondalkin. It's understood the driver of a car fell ill and struck a number of pedestrians. Further updates will follow.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) June 25, 2018
Gardaí have confirmed the collision occurred after the driver of the vehicle involved "took ill" behind the wheel.
The driver in question is understood to have been a local priest.
The incident that just happened in Clondalkin a few hours ago was because a priest took a heart attack whilst driving into the church yard. It was at my Dads uncles funeral. Hope everyone is ok 😥x
— Jo Archbold (@Yo_IM_JO) June 25, 2018
That’s sad, Priest had a heart attack while driving in our village, hope everyone will be ok #Clondalkin https://t.co/FsLOA1tR1D
— Tamy Nifaiogain (@ElizaTamy) June 25, 2018
#BREAKING There is chatter that the incident that just happened in the Immaculate Conception Church in Clondalkin was due to a priest having a heart attack whilst driving into the church yard. #Dublin #Ireland
— Yitz (@Greenslime_) June 25, 2018
Dublin Fire Brigade appealed for members of the public to avoid the area, saying in a statement: "We have a number of fire and ambulance units at this RTC.
"It is a developing situation. We are appealing for the public to avoid the area while we get rescue vehicles in and out of the scene."
A Garda spokeswoman added: "Gardaí and emergency services are at the scene of an incident at a Church in Clondalkin Dublin 22 this morning the 25th of June 2018.
Emergency services at Clondalkin's Immaculate Conception Church where pedestrians were hit by a car @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/hGdUgJQAtG
— Gráinne Ní Aodha (@GAodha) June 25, 2018
"It is understood there has been a collision between a car and pedestrians on the grounds of a church which occurred at approximately 10:20am. Developments will follow".
AA Roadwatch said the Laurel Park/New Road was closed following the incident.
"Following a very serious incident Laurel Pk/New Rd is closed outside Immaculate Conception Church. Motorists are advised to avoid the area," it said.
