Armed men in balaclavas flee after crash in Wicklow

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

Two men wearing balaclavas are believed to have chased another man through the centre of Kilcoole, Co Wicklow on Tuesday before their alleged pursuit ended in a dramatic road traffic collision that led to a vehicle not involved in the incident being overturned.

A garda source said the men, who were armed with baseball bats, had gone to “put the frighteners on” a man before he ran from them.

“It appears lads in balaclavas in a car went to put the frighteners on a man and he was running away. The vehicle then got involved in an accident and caused another unrelated vehicle to overturn,” said the source.

The source added that the two men then abandoned their vehicle and fled the scene on foot in the direction of Druids Glen.

“Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry,” the source said.

Gardaí confirmed they responded to reports of a two vehicle collision in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, shortly before 6pm on Tuesday, July 7.

Images of the unrelated car turned over. © Shayne Phelan

The driver of one of the vehicles was conveyed to hospital for treatment.

Emergency services attended the incident, with four fire appliances from Bray and Greystones, a number of Garda units and the Garda Air Support Unit at the scene.

A garda spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing.”