A teenage boy is fighting for his life after a collision between the car he was driving and a loose horse.
It happened on the M8 motorway near Cahir, Co Tipperary shortly before midnight on Saturday.
The driver was seriously injured and taken to Cork University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
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Gardai have sealed off part of the northbound motorway between Junction 11 (Cahir South) and Junction 10 (Cahir North) for a forensic investigation. Local diversions are in place.
Officers have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesperson said: "Gardai are currently at the scene of a serious road traffic collision that occurred late on Saturday night, July 16, 2022.
"At approximately 23.55hrs gardai were alerted to a serious road traffic collision on the M8 at Cahir Abbey Upper, Cahir.
"A loose horse had entered the motorway and a vehicle collided with it. The male driver, late teens sustained serious injuries and was removed to Cork University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
"The motorway is currently closed at this time on the M8 northbound between junctions 11 (Cahir South) and Junction 10 (Cahir North). Diversions are in place. The Forensic collision investigators are en route to conduct an examination of the scene.
"Gardai are appealing to any person who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. Any road users who were travelling in the area with camera (including dash cam) footage, is asked to make this available to gardai."
Anyone with information can contact Cahir Garda Station at 052 744 5630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
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