GARDAI are investigating a traffic collision, which occurred at about 8.30pm on Wednesday night on the Gort Road in Loughrea, in which a male cyclist was fatally injured.
The man, in his late 60s, was struck by a car close to pedestrian lights on the Gort Road and the offending vehicle drove away from the scene in the direction of Gort.
The offending car, which is believed to have been a blue BMW with a partial registration of 01, would have visible damage to the bonnet and front. It is also believed that the car has a defective right rear light.
The injured cyclist was taken to University College Hospital Galway where he was pronounced dead shortly before 2am. A post mortem examination will be held later today by Prof Marie Cassidy, the State Pathologist.
The road at the scene of the crash, closed to facilitate a Garda Forensic Collision Examination of the area, has since reopened.
Gardai at Loughrea Garda Station are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information or anyone who saw a vehicle matching the description is asked to contact them at 091 842870.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.