A 14-YEAR-OLD boy is on life support today after a hit-and run in Dublin.

A major manhunt is under way for the driver who left the schoolboy for dead.

The teenager, named locally as Conor Hickey from St Attracta Road in Cabra, suffered massive head and brain injuries after he was hit by a car near his home yesterday evening. The callous driver sped from the scene.

Gardai are hunting for the driver today as the boy remained on life support at Temple Street Children's Hospital. Sources told the Herald that his condition was "extremely grave".

The 14-year-old was walking close to the junction of Devlin Road and Fassaugh Road when he was hit by the silver car shortly after 5.30pm last night.

The car sped off, but debris left at the scene of the hit and run could be the key to establishing the driver's identity.

The vehicle was silver and has 'flashy', alloy-type wheels, it is understood.

A piece of broken bumper and other fragments from the car were taken away for detailed forensic examination last night.

The scene was preserved until 10am today as the impact area was combed for further evidence.

Garages are asked to be on the lookout for any car in need of a bumper replacement or repair.

There is a lack of CCTV cameras in the vicinity, which is a housing estate with no commercial premises nearby. However footage may be available of the vehicle involved from cameras sited on approach roads to the junction, it's understood.

Today, the parents of the injured boy were maintaining a bedside vigil at the hospital.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses who were in the vicinity of Devlin Road and Fassaugh Road around 5.30pm yesterday and may be able to give a description of the car and the driver.

A source said: "The driver could have been in no doubt that he or she struck this child. The young lad is very ill and this driver needs to come forward. Anyone with information is also asked to contact gardai."

Members of the public are also asked to note if a vehicle in their vicinity has sustained overnight damage matching that of the hit and run car.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or may have any information should contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01-6668600,the Garda Confidential line 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

The parish priest at the local Church of Christ the King, Fr Patrick Carroll, said he travelled to the scene on hearing of the incident.

" It is a terrible thing to happen... we just all pray that he will be okay," he told the Herald today.

hnews@herald.ie