18/10/2010

Multiple Deaths Follow Irish Road Crashes

Four people, including a young mother, have died this weekend in a spate of road accidents across the Irish Republic.

Louise McKenna, a 27-year-old mother of one, was in the passenger seat of a car that went out of control about one mile from Lixnaw on the Abbeydorney road, Co Kerry. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her partner, Michael Conway, a Kerry county hurler, was injured in the crash. The couple have a six-year-old son.

According to reports this morning, the vehicle was carrying six people when it crashed at Irrebeg at 3.30am, as they returned from a 21st birthday party earlier that evening.

Mr Conway and another man were taken to Kerry General Hospital where they were said to be in a stable condition. A man and a woman were also treated for injuries at the hospital but were later discharged.

Meanwhile yesterday, a 23-year-old man died in hospital from serious injuries after he lost control of his car on the R191 at Tullylorcan, Beglieve, Co Cavan at around 1.30am yesterday.

Gardai in Cavan have appealed last night for witnesses to come forward.

It's understood the man was seriously injured after his car crashed at the side of the road, and he was taken to Cavan General Hospital, where he later died.

No one else was in the car at the time and no other vehicle was involved.

In another incident last night, a woman was killed instantly when she was involved in a three-car collision in County Limerick.

The crash happened on the N21 between Barna and Garryduff Cross and at least two others were rushed to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

Gardai at nearby Newcastlewest closed off the stretch of road to carry out forensic tests of the horrific scene to try and find the cause of the incident. They are appealing for anyone with information about the crash to contact them on 069 20650.

In Limerick, a 37-year-old motorcyclist died following a collision between his bike and a car. The accident happened at Newcastle, Castletroy about 7pm on Saturday.

Following the accident, the motorcyclist was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where he died of his injuries a short time later.

The weekend's tragedy contrasts sharply with the Road Safety Authority's (RSA) fourth 'European Night Without Accident’ on which was held on Saturday as part of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’.

The initiative is aimed at promoting responsible behaviour behind the wheel among young adults and is run in 220 nightclubs in 27 European countries, including Ireland, on the same night.

Speaking about the initiative before the weekend's incidents, Noel Brett, Chief Executive Officer of the RSA, said results from last year’s 'European Night Without Accident' showed a high number of young people acted as designated drivers and chose to abstain from drinking and driving on the night.

(DW/BMcC)

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