‘It was wrong, I should have stopped,’ man charged with fatal hit-and-run in Bundoran told gardaí

Sergee Kelly (23) appears at Carrick-On-Shannon District Court over collision in which Ronan Wilson (9) was killed

Sergee Kelly (23) leaving Carrick-on-Shannon courthouse. Photograph: NW Newspix
Sergee Kelly (23) leaving Carrick-on-Shannon courthouse. Photograph: NW Newspix

A man has appeared in court charged over a hit-and-run collision in which a nine-year-old boy was killed in Bundoran, Co Donegal.

Sergee Kelly appeared at Carrick-On-Shannon District Court on Tuesday in connection with the fatal incident in which Ronan Wilson, from Kildress, Co Tyrone, was killed. The 23-year-old, from Upper Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, has been charged with three offences under the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Kelly was charged with failing to stop after the collision, failing to remain at the scene and failing to offer help to the injured party.

Det Garda Shane Maye of Ballyshannon Garda station gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Kelly on Monday. When charged, Mr Kelly told gardaí: “It was wrong and I should have stopped, but I didn’t.”

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When charged with failing to remain at the scene, he replied: “I know I should have, but I didn’t.”

Mr Kelly, represented by solicitor John Anderson, was granted bail on his own bond of €2,000 while another individual agreed to go forward as an independent surety, which was approved by the court.

The accused has surrendered his passport and must sign on three times a week at Ballyshannon Garda station. He was ordered to have no contact, either directly or indirectly, to include social media, with any of the prosecution witnesses in the case.

Mr Kelly’s mobile phone has been seized by gardaí but he must provide officers with a contact number within 24 hours. Judge Éiteáin Cunningh remanded him on bail to appear before Ballyshannon District Court on October 20th, 2023.

Ronan Wilson, from Kildress, Co Tyrone, died after a hit-and-run incident in Bundoran, Co Donegal on Saturday night. Photograph: Pacemaker
Ronan Wilson, from Kildress, Co Tyrone, died after a hit-and-run incident in Bundoran, Co Donegal on Saturday night. Photograph: Pacemaker

Ronan Wilson, who had been visiting Bundoran with his family, was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after Saturday night’s collision on Atlantic Way. His funeral is to take place on Thursday at St Mary’s Church, Dunamore.

His father, Dean Wilson, has paid tribute to “the best son anyone could ask for”.

“I never thought I’d be saying this but I’ve lost my wee Roro; my main man, my hero and son,” he wrote on Facebook. “Roro was the best son anyone could ask for... Rest in peace my son and best friend. Love you forever. From Daddy, Mummy, Calum and Amy and all our surrounding family and friends.”

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone with information or who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.