Taoiseach sorrow after five road deaths over weekend
TAOISEACH Simon Harris spoke of his sorrow last night, after a weekend of carnage on the nation’s road left five people dead.
Mr Harris said: “These are devastating losses.”
The Taoiseach spoke out after three young men died on Sunday alone – in two accidents in the same county.
Pals Mark Eager and Stuart O’connell died when three motorcycles collided near Oldcastle in Co Meath on Sunday evening.
And just a few hours later in the county, Darragh Reid, 27, died in Navan, around 40 kilometres away.
The men’s deaths followed two others on Saturday. Joe Carthy, 14, died when his e-scooter was in collision with a car in Kilkenny city at 6pm.
Finbarr Coleman, 40, died in a singlevehicle car crash in Kinsale, Co Cork, at around 1.30am the same day.
Taoiseach Harris said some 113 people had now died on Ireland’s road this year, a rise of 16 on the same period in 2023.
He said: “I want to express my deep sorrow at the loss of the five people who were killed on Irish roads in recent days. I send my condolences to their families, their friends and their communities. These are devastating losses – 113 people have now lost their lives on Irish roads this year, an increase of 16 in comparison to the same period last year.
“As a country, we had made significant progress in reducing the number of people losing their lives on Irish roads in recent years.
“That progress is at risk. These are not statistics, they are lost lives and shattered families.” And he appealed for everyone to do their bit for road safety, especially coming up to the August Bank Holiday.
He said: “We are now at a critical juncture. We must take steps; as individuals, as communities, as a country, to reverse the trend and prevent more lives being lost.
“Government will play its part and will take the necessary steps, but we need the help of every driver across the country.
“As we approach the August Bank Holiday weekend, I am urging everyone to slow down, put the phone away and never ever take a drink or drugs before getting into a car.
“Lives can be saved by taking these simple but important steps to help keep each other safe.”
Mark and Stuart who died in Oldcastle were both keen motorcyclists.
Two other people were injured in the crash that involved three bikes, gardai said, and they appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A spokesman said: “Gardai are continuing to investigate a fatal road traffic collision involving three motorcycles that occurred at Bellaney, Oldcastle, Co Meath, on Sunday at approximately 4.40pm.
“A motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, and his pillion passenger, a man in his 40s, were pronounced deceased at the scene. “A second male motorcyclist was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with serious injuries.”
They added: “A third male motorcyclist was taken to Cavan General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”