Gardaí investigate Cork mother’s death in car crash

A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death

Sheila Dunne was fatally injured in a crash at Sarsfield's Court in Glanmire on February 11th, 2024.
Sheila Dunne was fatally injured in a crash at Sarsfield's Court in Glanmire on February 11th, 2024.

Gardaí investigating the death of a mother of two in a crash in Cork earlier this year have arrested a woman in her 40s on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.

Officers investigating the death of Sheila Dunne who was fatally injured in a crash at Sarsfield’s Court in Glanmire on February 11th questioned the woman on Thursday morning.

The woman, who was known to Ms Dunne, was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Ms Dunne, who was in her 50s, was found in vehicle when the emergency services arrived at the scene of the crash which happened at 7.45pm on February 11th.

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Ms Dunne was removed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries and she died at the hospital two days later. A postmortem examination was carried out and Garda forensic experts examined the vehicle.

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Garda sources said that mobile phone records will prove central in their investigation into the case to see whether any other occupant of the car contacted anyone in the immediate aftermath of the crash while CCTV footage from the Glanmire area will also be important.

Ms Dunne, who worked as a special needs assistant at Watergrasshill National School, was remembered at her funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Glounthaune as someone who had a great sense of pride in her two children Lilley and TJ.

Mass celebrant, Fr Patrick Fogarty said: “I’m told Sheila met the love of her life 30 years ago on Valentine’s Day. Sadly, Ted was taken from us three short years ago. They had a wonderful loving relationship and today they are reunited.”

A colleague at Watergrasshill NS remembered her as ”the kindest, caring and most selfless person I have ever met. She would always light up any room. I was lucky enough to call her a friend and colleague. She will be dearly missed and will leave a void in all our hearts in Watergrasshill NS.”

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times