A COUPLE were heading out for a family dinner when they were mown down and killed in a horrific hit-and-run near their home.
Georgina Hogg Moore, 39, and her husband Anthony Hogg, 40, were just 180 metres from their home when they were struck by a grey Audi A7.
The couple were crossing a road close to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, west Dublin, around 5.45pm on St Stephen’s Day.
The mum-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene while her husband was brought to hospital before passing away in the early hours of this morning.
The couple’s daughter Becky, who is in her teens, also suffered bruising in the shocking crash but her injuries aren’t life threatening.
The young woman is tonight being comforted by relatives.
Gardai believe she may have been pushed to safety by her brave parents.
The mum’s heartbroken cousin, Carly Gray, told The Irish Sun how the family had been left devastated by the tragedy.
She said: “All we can say is that Georgina and Anthony are loved beyond measure and will forever be in our hearts.
“This is a devastating tragedy that has torn our family apart. Two children have been left without both parents and their daughter witnessed such trauma.
“They were just going out for dinner and their lives were taken — they have been taken from us all.”
In a social media post, Ms Gray also posted: “If anyone has any information on who did this, please come forward.
“My beautiful cousin Georgina and her husband. Two children left without a mother and father over a reckless driver.”
The couple, from the Whitestown Avenue area of the capital, also lost their lives just three days after Mr Hogg celebrated his 40th birthday.
One resident told us: “Georgina and Anto were brilliant parents and neighbours. It’s awful to think that something so bad could happen to a lovely family.
“They were just so friendly and decent — and the whole nightmare is hard to comprehend.
“The entire community has been left devastated by this and we’re all just heartbroken for their poor children, family and friends.”
Another resident said: “Georgina and Anto were devoted to their children — that’s all they lived for.”
Following the crash, the driver of the vehicle sped away from the scene. The car was recovered by Gardai in the Tyrrelstown area over an hour after the incident.
The suspected driver, aged in his late 40s, later handed himself into Blanchardstown Garda station at about 10.30pm on St Stephen’s night.
He’s being quizzed on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.
Gardai also confirmed they don’t believe the couple were deliberately targeted.
He can be held for 24 hours before either being released or charged.
The suspect is from the west Dublin area and has previous convictions for drugs but isn’t regarded as a major gangland player.
One source told us: “It’s lucky that Gardai aren’t dealing with another death.
“The couple’s daughter appears to have been hit by a wing mirror but it could have been a lot worse.”
Detectives are also hoping to speak to the couple’s daughter once they have received the all-clear from medics.
Fingal County Council Deputy Mayor John-Kingsley Onwumereh offered his condolences to the couple’s relatives.
The Fianna Fail councillor said: “This is such a devastating incident to happen to the families and the wider community.
“All our thoughts and prayers will be with those who lost their lives in this terrible incident.
As the Garda probe continues, officers have urged anyone with information to come forward.
They said: “Gardai appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda station at 01 6667000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111.”
