A little boy - who was one of three people to lose their lives in a weekend of carnage on Irish roads - had only celebrated his fourth birthday with a party on Saturday and had not even opened all of his presents.
Abdur Rehman, 4, was hit by a car in Farrnshock estate in Mullingar, Co Westmeath while making his way to a green area on his push scooter shortly after 6.30pm. He is the third person to have lost their lives in collisions over the weekend.
On Easter Sunday evening, Jason Monks, 18, died when the scrambler motorbike he was riding on collided with a car on Citywest Avenue in Dublin while motorcyclist David O’Carroll, 23, from Shanagolden in Limerick, died after a collision between his motorbike and a car on Easter Monday in Ardagh, Limerick.
Four-year-old Abdur - whose birthday was last Tuesday, April 15 and celebrated it with a party last Saturday - was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The horror incident was witnessed by some residents in the estate who are “deeply shocked” and “devastated,” while the little boy’s grieving parents have been left ‘traumatised.’
According to a close family friend, Abdur had only celebrated his fourth birthday with a party on Saturday and said the little boy didn’t get to open all of his gifts. “He didn’t get to open all of his gifts,” said Naveed Iqbal, who broke down in tears at the scene on Tuesday morning.
The little boy’s dad, Abdul, who is originally from Pakistan and has been living in Ireland the past 20 years, works in finance while his mother, also from Pakistan, is a medical student and the family only recently welcomed a new baby.
“The child was playing with children at the time. It’s a new estate and the family just moved in a few months ago,” said Mr Iqbal . “The whole community and neighbourhood is in shock. We don’t know exactly what happened.
“He was just a little baby, just four years old,” said Mr Iqbal. “His birthday was on Saturday but he didn’t get to open all of his gifts. His parents were giving him some gifts to open every day.”
Another family friend, Fahim Khan, said that everyone is devastated at the tragedy. "We don't know exactly what happened. A little baby, just four years old," Fahim Khan said, adding: "His birthday was on Saturday.”
“It's a loss for every parent,” continued Mr Khan. “The parents are in the hospital traumatised and only had a newborn baby four weeks ago. The mother is absolutely devastated. It's hard to put words together. "
There is widespread shock and sadness in the community of Mullingar following the tragic death of a four-year-old boy in a road collision. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, local councillor Andrew Duncan said “The whole community is in deep shock and saddened by this tragedy.
“There is gloom across the whole town of Mullingar and afar. It’s an awful tragedy," said Cllr Duncan. “A young boy has lost his life and it’s an absolute tragedy for all concerned, for the boy, his family, neighbours and the driver of the car who is often forgotten,” said Cllr Duncan said and offered his condolences to the boy's family."
Cllr Michael Dollard, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council said “Everyone in Mullingar is traumatised.”
“It’s all everyone is speaking about. Everyone is traumatised. A little boy was killed in his own housing estate. It could have been anyone’s child or grandchild,” he told the Irish Mirror, offering his condolences and sympathy to the little boy’s family.
On Tuesday, the scene remained preserved for examination by garda forensic collision investigators as heartbroken locals laid floral tributes close by. One tribute read: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of great loss.”
Others also paid tribute on social media with one writing: “God help them through this hard time. Heartbreaking,” while another wrote: “Rest in peace. Fly high with the angels little man,” and another wrote: “Devastating. Words fail me at times like this. My heart goes out to the family, to the driver. It is the worst nightmare imaginable. Rest in peace beautiful little angel.”
The coroner has been notified, and a post-mortem examination will be arranged, a garda spokesperson said.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed any of the three fatal collisions to come forward.
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