GARDAI are investigating after an elderly man was killed in a tragic accident on Tuesday night.
The 71-year-old was struck by a van being driven by his son as he returned from work.
The vehicle was reversing into a side-yard at the family home just outside Ballyneery in Co. Limerick.
It's understood that the man was knocked down before the van rolled over him.
He was killed instantly.
Paramedics were called around 5pm and rushed to the house. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
It's being treated as a tragic accident and no foul play is suspected, according to gardai.
"The family are obviously shocked. It’s an awful tragedy," a source said.
"It happened on a yard to the side of the house. The son was coming home from work and was reversing into the driveway when the van accidentally rolled over his father.
"He was killed instantly, and his son is absolutely obviously distraught. He was being consoled by his family."
Emergency service personnel erected tarpaulin sheets over the windows of the house as the deceased’s body remained under the van for a number of hours, according to breakingnews.ie.
Gardaí said: "A male in his 70 has died following an incident at a property in Ballyneety, Co. Limerick. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
"His body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem will be carried out, which will determine the course of the investigation. Inquiries ongoing."
