The Daily Star Ireland
The six-year-old girl who lost her life in a tragic road accident over the weekend on the outskirts of Galway city has been identified locally as Ula Grigaityte. The incident occurred around midday on Saturday at the intersection of Headford Road and Sandyvale Lawn.
Ula, who lived with her family nearby, was cycling when she was struck by a truck. Emergency services responded swiftly, but sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Scoil Róis Primary School in Salthill, where Ula was a Senior Infants pupil, expressed heartfelt condolences in the aftermath of the tragedy. Principal Michele McCarra described the loss as a devastating blow for both Ula’s family and the school community. She noted that support has been overwhelming, with many reaching out to express their sympathies.
The school has activated its Critical Incident Management Plan. Educational psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service are on hand to guide staff through the process of supporting pupils. The school has also opened its doors to parents seeking advice on how to help their children cope with the grief.
At the crash site, an outpouring of emotion has taken shape in the form of flowers, candles, and soft toys left by residents and passersby. Many locals have shared their sorrow, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt in the neighborhood.
Eileen Curran, a local resident, described the atmosphere as heavy and heartbreaking, while Niluka Vidyarathne, who has a six-year-old daughter herself, shared how the incident deeply affected her. Another local, Sinéad O’Donnell, said she came out simply to show her solidarity and compassion during this time of collective grief.
