THE family of a girl who died after being struck by a car as she crossed a street in Limerick City marched today (Friday) in protest over a decision by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) not to bring charges in the case.
Savannah Calvert (14), of Fairview Crescent, Garryowen, died after a car struck her while she was crossing the road at Bank Place in Limerick City on August 16, 2023.
Savannah had been living with cystic fibrosis, a respiratory disease, which had claimed the lives of her sisters Katie and Sophie, and she had lost her mother, Jacqueline, to cancer eight months previously.
Gardaí submitted a file in respect of the girl’s death to the office of the DPP, which subsequently directed no prosecution.
Today, up to 100 people, led by Savannah’si sister Diane Calvert, marched through Limerick City calling for “justice for Savannah”.
Speaking into a megaphone, Diane Calvert said: “Savannah, we love you, and we’ll never forget you, you’re always in our hearts and our minds.”
Ms Calvert thanked all those who participated in the protest march, and told them: “It’s terrible to think that, in the midst of our grief, my family has to do this. This is very hard, but with the help of God, justice will be served.”
Ms Calvert said that despite living with cystic fibrosis, Savannah was “blooming into a beautiful healthy teenager who, although she just lost her mother whom she spent everyday of her life with, was coping as best she could, she was brave”.
Ms Calvert said the impact of the collision two years ago “blew out (Savannah’s) kidney, shattered her skull”, and left her “brain damaged”.
Ms Calvert said her family had “so many unanswered questions” about the case.
“My family will not stop protesting until justice is served, we must be Savannah’s voice, we must not allow this to happen to another family.”
Ms Calvert said her sister, Danika Calvert, was still traumatised by Savannah’s death, and that her own children continue to have nightmares after witnessing the aftermath of the road tragedy.
A banner brought to the march read: “The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them.”
Another banner read: “Justice for Savannah, our beautiful baby sister.”
A life-sized poster of Savannah stands at the scene of the fatal collision.
Savannah Calvert’s inquest is expected to be heard at Limerick Coroner’s Court at a later date.
