Career criminal killed in hit-and-run may have been struck by his own associates’ car

Tom Connors (35) was on the run after walking out of Loughan House open prison

Career criminal killed in hit-and-run may have been struck by his own associates’ car in Carlow |

Gardaí issue appeal after car burnt out following crash that killed motorcyclist in Co Carlow

Today at 02:30

Gardaí are investigating if a 35-year-old career criminal who was killed in an apparent hit-and-run had been travelling with other criminals when the fatal traffic incident happened.

Tom Connors (35), from Bunclody, Co Wexford, was on the run from jail after he walked out of Loughan House open prison last Saturday.

Sources said gardaí suspect Connors was travelling on a motorbike on Wednesday night with a car that was later burnt out after the collision, for “criminal reasons, including burglary-related matters”.

It is understood that a special policing plan will be put in place for the funeral of the criminal who has dozens of previous convictions and links to organised burglary gangs.

No arrests have yet been made in the case, which is being investigated by Carlow gardaí. Officers have made a public appeal for information.

Connors was serving a three-year prison sentence for the unlawful taking of a vehicle.

He had been in Loughan House open prison for less than two weeks after being transferred from a closed prison.

It is understood he was approaching the end of his sentence.

Connors was a father with a young family.

The incident occurred on a local road at Sandbrook, between Rathoe and Ballon in Co Carlow at 11pm on Wednesday.

Gardaí are searching for the occupants of the car believed to have been involved in the incident.

A source told the Irish Independent last night that the car was not a stolen vehicle.

Carlow Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell said gardaí are currently trying to ascertain the route the motorcycle took before the collision.

The motorcycle involved is a key focus of the garda investigation. It is a black Honda motorcycle with a partial registration of 03-WW.

The garda investigation has discovered that this vehicle travelled alongside St Laurence O’Toole’s running track on the Pollerton Road in Carlow towards Rathoe.

The exact route taken by the driver is unknown,” he said.

Superintendent Farrell added that if anyone saw the motorcycle travelling on the Pollerton Road in Carlow towards Rathoe to come forward to Carlow gardaí.

He said: “If you were travelling in your own vehicle or in a taxi between the Pollerton Road in Carlow and Rathoe and have dash cam footage that might be of interest to the garda investigation, please come forward.

“Maybe you know someone who travels this route who can help or maybe you live alongside routes between St Laurence O’Toole’s running track on the Pollerton Road in Carlow towards Rathoe or Ballon and have CCTV on your house facing the road that might be able to support the garda investigation.

“Maybe you were in the area shortly before or after the collision overnight at about 10.30pm and have information that might assist the garda investigation.

“If you can help in any way, please contact An Garda Síochána incident room Carlow on 059 913 6620.”