'No forgiveness' over hit-and-run

Richie's family says they cannot forgive the driver as he failed to stop

The family of an 11-year-old boy killed after being knocked down by a hit-and-run driver in north London has said they can "never forgive" the driver.

Michael Richard McDonagh, known as Richie, was hit while on a pedestrian crossing outside Ikea on the North Circular Road in Neasden on Saturday.

He was then hit by a second car, which stopped nearby after the collision.

Richie's father said if the driver had not fled the scene following the accident he would have forgiven him.

'Christmas presents'

The boy suffered serious head injuries and died on Sunday.

Martin McDongah said his son's death had devastated the family.

"He was my love and my life. What has happened is breaking my heart.

"If that man had stood and said about the car crash I would accept him, I would forgive him but not now.

"I can never forgive now because he turned around and couldn't even stand and suffer the consequences for what he has done."

Hit and run a father's appeal

Mr McDonagh said Richie's grandmother had died on Saturday morning and the family were having a wake when the accident happened.

"We were having a wake in the pub and the next thing somebody comes running in and says Richie's been hit by a car."

Richie's older brother Sean, 13, spoke of facing Christmas without him.

"Its not right. We had his Christmas presents and everything and Richie had all the family's presents," he said.

"He had my mum's in a special place and my sister's, so I am just looking for them now."

Officers said the first car that hit Richie and failed to stop and was seen driving off towards Brent Cross was possibly an older model BMW.

No arrests have been made over the incident.