'My baby and I were hit in Irish horror crash – I'm now too afraid to go out'
A mother who was recently struck by a vehicle while walking her seven-week-old baby in a pram in Cork has broken her silence — revealing she is now too terrified to venture outside her home.Junia Van Belle has shared her harrowing experience just days following a devastating weekend on Irish roads that claimed seven lives. Among the victims was 16-year-old Mia Lily Keogh O'Keeffe, who died in a hit-and-run collision.Mia's heartbreaking story moved Junia to tears during an emotional conversation with this reporter.In the exclusive interview with this reporter, Junia, who goes by the nickname Gigi, delivered a powerful message to motorists across Ireland, while disclosing how she feared for her baby's survival after throwing herself in front of an approaching vehicle to protect his life.Terrifying collisionGigi, who hails from Belgium originally, has spent 11 years living in Ireland. She resides in Blarney, Cork, alongside her partner, Michael Maurin, and their infant son, Matthew.On October 21, 2025, she embarked on what should have been a tranquil postnatal stroll to Blarney's post office."I was walking with the baby on the footpath when suddenly I heard the tyre noise and that scared me," the 34-year-old, who was on St Ann's Road, explained. "So I turned my head, and that's when I saw the car running towards me."It was really a primal instinct. I thought the car would kill my baby so instead of my baby taking the hit, I took it, I tried the maximum impact, but the car still touched the buggy."The baby seat got ejected but luckily it landed on the edge of the path. For me, I got ejected into the bushes. I could hear my baby screaming - but I could not see him."Gigi described experiencing excruciating pain in her right leg, which had been fractured — yet she found herself continuously calling out Mathew's name.She dreaded the worst until a nurse who had stopped at the scene shouted across that the little boy was alert and responding.Emergency services arrived to free Gigi, who was subsequently transported to Cork University Hospital alongside her child.Given the force of the collision, mother and son were separated upon arrival, with Gigi being taken to the trauma ward for surgery while Matthew was brought to the emergency children's ward.Gigi underwent an operation the next day after discovering her leg was fractured. She also had two screws inserted into her ankle, two screws placed into her kneecap and a metal plate positioned between the tibia and fibula.The remainder of her body was also covered in cuts and bruises, and while her rehabilitation will be lengthy and challenging, her primary worry was for Matthew, after preliminary scans revealed he had "minor brain damage".For weeks, Gigi worried his development might be affected, but a neurosurgeon ultimately determined that the condition would heal naturally.Gigi and Matthew were initially separated for nine distressing days before finally being discharged home — but there was no returning to normality.PTSDThe mother, who was confined to a wheelchair and now depends on crutches, is battling PTSD and requires professional assistance to process her traumatic experience.Describing her altered reality, she explained her life has been fundamentally changed. She revealed: "Even during the day, I don't feel safe. Sometimes I am in the living room and I am thinking there is going to be a car that jumps through the living room and hits us."I have a lot of nightmares where I feel chased and I need to look after my baby and make sure he is safe. I feel trapped."Gigi received support from relatives, including her mother and sister, who travelled from overseas to assist. However, a single journey to Kinsale resulted in the mum crying out in terror when she wrongly feared her partner might strike someone while manoeuvring into a parking space.Following that episode, she has been too frightened to venture outdoors.Looking back, she recalled: "That was the first time when I went out and then I decided not to leave. I haven't left the house since the accident, despite going to hospital for appointments, that is the only time I go out."Hit-and-runGigi chose to share her story after learning the heartbreaking news about Mia Lily Keogh O' Keeffe being killed in a hit-and-run in Navan, County Meath, last weekend.The teenager is understood to have been struck while crossing the carriageway. Gardaí suspect the motorist ignored a red light before colliding with the girl and absconding from the scene.A man in his 20s was detained but subsequently released without charge. Gigi, reflecting on the tragic incident, expressed: "What happened to that young girl is truly heartbreaking. It brought back a lot of emotions for me, because we could also have lost our lives. This has been a deeply traumatic experience for both me and my little boy."She continued, visibly shaken: "I was really shocked. It really is heartbreaking for me because there are a lot of emotions coming..."Overwhelmed by emotion, Gigi paused before adding: "Sorry... she was just a young girl, only 16, it is just awful."Mia was one among seven individuals who tragically lost their lives in a series of road accidents across Ireland during a particularly devastating weekend.A word to driversWhile the accident involving Gigi is under active investigation, she had a poignant message for all drivers in Ireland.Fighting back tears, she implored: "When you take to the roads, you need to realise your responsibility."We feel less impacted until it happens to us. You can take the life of someone, and you can also take the loss of a professional activity, independence, joy of moving freely, and being free in the mind, as well as the family."It is a family that you can break. And you can really steal the peace and the joy of a family, so just be aware."How many people need to be impacted, and how many lives need to be taken, to have change?"GoFundMeThe young mum, now left with multiple fractures and unable to walk or work, is still striving to care for her infant, who is her first child.Following her release from hospital, she found herself confined to bed yet still responsible for caring for her newborn.She explained that she had little option but to arrange private assistance, a decision which has added significant financial pressure on top of the emotional trauma she continues to process.Regarding her appeal for support, she explained: "I set up the GoFundMe because at the beginning I was vulnerable to do it."She added: "It took me a long time to put it online because I felt ashamed for asking for help and creating awareness about what happened to me. But then I realised there were a lot of people who were praying for us and asking for news."Opening up further, she shared: "I finally feel ready to share a picture of my baby. I was really protective about my name and my baby showing, now I think I need to change my mindset, and that I don't need to feel guilty about what happened to me."She outlined that contributions would support physical rehabilitation, psychological recovery, vital home care while she regains mobility, and enable her to properly care for her child.GardaiA garda spokesperson confirmed the investigation into the collision involving Gigi continues and remains active.They pointed to an earlier appeal which stated: "Gardai are appealing for witnesses — including those travelling in the area at the time who may have dashcam / video recordings."The appeal concluded: "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on (021) 494 6200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station."You can make a donation on Gigi’s fundraising page here
