A FATHER whose 12-year-old son died in a road accident exactly a year before Lucy McIlhatton was killed on the same spot has expressed concern that another family has had to endure the same pain.
The 24-year-old was killed after being struck by a silver Toyota Avensis car as she walked along Springfield Road in west Belfast on Sunday night.
One neighbour said that the young woman had only just moved into a new home in New Barnsley before Christmas.
Friends paid tribute on social media, with one describing her as "a great woman and didn't deserve this"
A 44-year-old man was in custody last night "assisting offices with their inquiries" after he was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including causing death by dangerous driving, driving when unfit through drink or drugs, failing to remain where an accident occurred, causing injury and assault on police.
The collision happened just yards from where Eoin Hamill, from Turf Lodge, was killed after being struck by a four-wheel drive vehicle as he cycled near the junction of Upper Springfield Road and Norglen Parade close to his home on January 3, 2020.
He was a Year 9 pupil at Coláiste Feirste Irish-medium school.
His father Martin McCullough said he had been keeping himself busy on the anniversary - which is also his birthday - as a way of dealing with it, but had been touched by messages of support for the family.
The news of Ms McIlhatton's death, however, was a blow for the still grieving relatives.
"It's just devastating," he said.
"It's madness, absolute madness, a year to the day when it happened to my wee lad. I drove over today to say a wee prayer. I can't believe a family has to go through the same thing.
"It was a stone's throw away, literally you could throw a stone between where they both happened.
"I really, really feel for the family and if there's anything I can do to help them I will do it.
"I'm going to leave it a few days and then I'm going to go and see them. I know what they're going through. Since that happened to my son I'm just focused on helping any family in grief."
"Heartbroken" team mates, coaches and friends at Gleann Boxing Club where Eoin was a member said he is still "sorely missed by everyone".
"We know this is a hard time for all at the club but especially our young boxers, so please, as you have always done, look out for each other if anyone needs to talk, please get in touch."
Sinn Féin assembly member Pat Sheehan said Ms McIlhatton's death is "heart-breaking news" for her "family, friends, loved ones and our wider community".
"I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the woman and offer them my full support.
He appealed for anyone on Springfield Road at the time to help the police.
Inspector Philip McCullagh asked for everyone who "witnessed this tragic collision or who captured footage on dashcam to contact officers in Woodbourne or the Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting reference number 1554 03/01/21".
"You can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/"
