'We can't cope, I'm broken' - Dad of boy killed in Donegal hit and run pays tribute

The father of a boy killed in a hit and run crash in Bundoran, Co Donegal, at the weekend has paid tribute to "the best son anyone could ask for."

Nine-year-old Ronan Wilson was killed when he was struck by a car that failed to remain at the scene on Saturday night at around 9am in the busy tourist town.

Ronan, from the Kildress, Co Tyrone, was a keen GAA supporter and played with his local club Kildress Wolfe Tones. He was staying in Bundoran with his family when tragedy struck.

His father Dean has taken to social media to remember his son and said: "I never thought I'd be saying this but I've lost my wee Roro, my main man my hero & son.

The heartbreaking post continued: "I love him so much, he's been taken from us by a hit and run driver. We will never be the same without out [sic], we can't cope I'm broken.

"Roro was the best son any one could ask for, 9 years for pure pleasure, rest in peace my son and best friend, love u forever. From Daddy, Mummy, Calum and Amy, and all our surroundings family and friends, we love u Ronan."

Investigation

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the scene on Atlantic Way, Bundoran at around 9.20pm on Saturday. Ronan was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene.

A man, aged in his twenties, was later arrested on Sunday for an offence under the Road Traffic Act in relation to the fatal road traffic collision. The man is currently detained at a Garda Station in Donegal under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Gardaí have seized a vehicle in connection with the investigation which will undergo technical examination. They are continuing to appeal to anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station 074 9858530 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and who were travelling in the area of Atlantic Way, Bundoran, on Saturday evening between 8.45pm and 9.45pm, is asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Further Tributes

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill also paid tribute and expressed her sadness.

“Hearts are heavy across the country for the beautiful wee Ronan Wilson,” she posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Ronan’s family and his home community of Kildress at this tragic and saddest of times.”

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said the local community in Kildress is broken-hearted following the death of the nine-year-old.

He has appealed for anyone with dash cam footage from near the scene of the incident on Atlantic Way at 9.20pm on Saturday night to come forward to police.

“The whole community in Kildress and across Tyrone is broken-hearted today. The Wilsons are a well-known local family and this tragedy has shocked us all,” he said.

“My thoughts are with Ronan’s family and friends as they come to terms with this devastating news. I know everyone in Kildress and further afield will be thinking of them and will rally around them in the days ahead.”

Additional reporting by PA