THE heartbroken parents of a schoolboy killed in a hit-and-run incident have made an emotional appeal to friends of the driver on the first anniversary of his death. Richie McDonagh, of Linton Close, Neasden, died after he was hit by two cars while cros

THE heartbroken parents of a schoolboy killed in a hit-and-run incident have made an emotional appeal to friends of the driver on the first anniversary of his death.

Richie McDonagh, of Linton Close, Neasden, died after he was hit by two cars while crossing the North Circular Road at the junction of Brentfield Road in Neasden, on November 29 last year.

The 11-year-old was hit by a first car, which failed to stop at the scene, before being thrown into the pathway of a second car of which the driver did stop.

A year on, detectives investigating Richie's death fear the male driver may have fled the country, prompting Martin and Sarah McDonagh to make a direct appeal to his friends.

Mr McDonagh said: "Our family has been destroyed. We will never get over this.

"Someone out there knows who did this.

"Maybe he confided in you and you are keeping this secret to yourself, if so think about how you would feel if it was your child or a relative of yours.

"If you continue to keep quiet you will be just as guilty as your friend.

"Please help us by telling us who he is."

In a tragic twist, Richie's maternal mother had passed away hours earlier and the family had been at her wake when he died.

Mr McDonagh said: "We lost two members of our family in a few hours and it has destroyed us.

"There must be someone out there who knows the driver. Someone is shielding him.

"I would never want anyone to go through what we're going through. We will never ever get over it."

On Sunday, the McDonagh's, their relatives and friends packed into St Patrick's Church on Hardie Close, Neasden, for a memorial mass before attending the unveiling of Richie's headstone at Kensal Green Cemetery.

Mr McDonagh added: "Everyone has been so good to us. Without their support I don't think we could have got through this.

"We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

"I am sure Richie is looking down and seeing well loved he is but we must get justice for his death."

There have been varying accounts of the car driven by the driver but investigating officers believe it may have been an old black BMW.

Sergeant Chris Osbourne from Alperton Collusion Unit said: "We are looking into the possibility that the driver may have fled the country so we are appealing for anyone who knows him to come forward.

"The driver must have friends who know who he is.

"It's been a painful year for the McDonagh's and they need some closure."

Anyone with information can call Sgt Osbourne on 020 8998 5319 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

lorraine.king@archant.co.uk