The family of a four-year-old girl who was left with serious, “life-changing” injuries after a hit-and-run last week have appealed to the public for witnesses.

Sofia was outside her home with her siblings on the Old Corduff Road in Blanchardstown last Saturday night when she was struck by an SUV.

The child has been in hospital ever since the incident and has been left with shattered bones and a serious leg injury.

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Her father Daniel Busceanu told Dublin Live that Sofia’s doctors have said she may be in hospital for another week or two due to her injuries.

“She’s traumatised. She wakes up with the car on her mind,” he said.

“We are heartbroken by what happened and I don’t want this to happen to someone else.

“We want to make people aware of this in the whole of Dublin 15. This is not fair, it’s not fair on this little kid to get run over and left.

“It might not be (the driver’s) fault. I’m not blaming them, I’m blaming that they left and didn’t see if she was alright.

“She could have been dead.”

Daniel said his “only happiness” right now is that his daughter is alive.

He said: “I am so happy she is alive, that’s the only happiness I have now, that she is not dead.

“She might have problems later on in the future. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with this leg of hers.”

A garda spokesman told Dublin Live that officers are appealing to the public for witnesses.

He said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a single car rtc that occurred on the Old Cordfuff Road, Dublin 15, at approximately 9:20pm. An SUV is understood to have collided with a 4 year old child. The child was taken to CHI Crumlin to be treated for her injuries.

“Investigating Gardaí are appealing to any person who may have witnessed this or anyone who may have information in relation to this contact them. They are particularly keen for anyone with camera footage (including dash cam) to provide this to Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”

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