A male pedestrian has been badly hurt after being hit by a car in north Dublin.

It happened near Kilshane Cross in Finglas at ten to eleven this morning.

It is understood a man attempted to steal a van, but jumped into a car and fled when he was disturbed by the driver.

When he made his escape, he hit the pedestrian, who was rushed to hospital.

The culprit ran off across fields.

The garda helicopter and ground units are searching for him.