Gardai appeal for witnesses following crash that killed five-month-old Martin

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a five-month-old baby lost his life on Sunday after a family shopping trip ended in tragedy. The crash occurred when a car, driven by the infant’s father, veered off the road and hit a barrier on the Athlone bypass at approximately 2.15pm. It is believed that black ice between the motorway and the slip road is to blame. Little Martin Corcoran was fatally injured when the passenger side of the Renault Laguna, where his baby seat was located, took the brunt of the impact from the crash. He was taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, where he was later pronounced dead. His sister Isabelle, 3, was also injured but is recovering in hospital. The children’s parents, Martin and Elizabeth, both in their twenties, escaped without any major injuries. Local councillor Dermot Connolly said the community was "in absolute shock” at the tragedy: "I want to issue condolences to the family concerned on losing their baby boy," he added. Witnesses are advised to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090 6498550.