A TOTAL of 15 witnesses are assisting gardai in their investigation into a hit-and-run incident that left 13 cyclists injured.

The probe into the incident, which occurred in Garristown in north Dublin earlier this month, is continuing and no arrests have been made yet, a garda spokesperson confirmed to the Herald.

However, it is understood that a large number of witnesses have contacted detectives at Duleek Garda Station investigating the case.

Wesley Murphy, a member of the Dublin Wheelers Cycling Club, initially feared he had been left with a broken back following the incident, which happened on Saturday, November 1.

Crushed

The well-known triathlete, from Monkstown in Dubin, was left with a broken collarbone and broken ribs after the incident.

"We went down like skittles," he said.

"He drove at us as if he was overtaking but drove into the line. One guy was dragged along with the car. He had all his clothes ripped but his injuries are superficial."

Speaking about his own more serious injuries, he said: "I went flying off and got belted pretty hard.

"At first they thought my back might be broken, but it was just that my chest had frozen up."

Mr Murphy spent three days undergoing treatment at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

"It could be a lot worse. My helmet was crushed but usually I wouldn't wear it when I'm out training. I'll wear it going down to the shop now."

Mr Murphy, who is a competitive cyclist, was just getting back into full training and hoped to compete in the round-Ireland circuit next year, having advanced through the grades recently.

"That's all on the back burner for a while now," he said.

Doctors have told him that it will take at least six weeks before he will be fit enough to get on a bike again and even then his movements are likely be restricted.

The Dublin Wheelers have been training in the same north Dublin and Meath area for 75 years and this is the first time there has been a serious incident.

Frustrated

Mr Murphy said that incidents of drivers getting frustrated at cyclists were not uncommon, but this was a really extreme case.

"You get a lot of it on the road because we do hold up traffic but somebody went a bit over the top," he said.

Meanwhile, an investigation into a fire at a children's creche in Artane almost two weeks ago is continuing.

The premises in the Butterly Business Park in Artane was also the scene of the Stardust disaster, in which 48 young people died.

The Stardust blaze, which happened at a Valentine's night disco in 1981, was the country's worst fire tragedy.

Nobody was injured in the blaze, which occurred on November 14.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

- Jane Last