Dad carried away on car bonnet in bid to stop thief dies in hospital

Ian McDonnell, 50, valiantly tried to stop the theft of his car in Clondalkin, Dublin, but was carried some distance and found lying in the road last Sunday

A dad who was carried on the bonnet of his car as a thief drove away has died of his injuries.

Ian McDonnell, 50, was found on the road with life-threatening injuries at around 6.15pm last Sunday(January 23), having been carried a significant distance on the bonnet during the carjacking ordeal.

He desperately tried to prevent the theft of his car, a grey Volkswagen Passat, at his business premises in Clondalkin, Dublin.

Mr McDonnell died on Friday evening in nearby Tallaght University Hospital, Gardai said today.

His wife and children are being supported by police officers, Gardai added.

A post-mortem will be carried out but officers continue to investigate the death.

The Volkswagen Passat was found in Greenhills, Dublin, on Friday and the recovered vehicle is due to be forensically examined.

A second vehicle involved in the incident, a silver-coloured Toyota Aqua, which was stolen in Crumlin last Sunday, was found burnt out in Ballinascorney, Tallaght, on Tuesday.

Gardai said this vehicle will also be forensically examined.

Gardai in Clondalkin said they want to speak to anyone who was in the Robinhood Road area on the evening of January 23 between 5.30pm and 7pm and who may have witnessed any activity which drew their attention, or who may have any video dashcam footage.

Investigating Gardai said they are looking for any information on where either car was parked at any location, or whether either vehicle was seen in any petrol station or any other location over those days.

Gardai are also seeking help from anyone who may have seen either of the cars in the areas of Ballymount, Walkinstown, Tallaght, Kylemore Road or Ballyfermot between 6.30pm and 9pm last Sunday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin garda station on 01 6667600.