Man in his 20s becomes 55th person killed on Irish roads so far this year

A man in his 20s died in a fatal road traffic collision in County Roscommon last night, becoming the 55th person to be killed on Irish roads so far this year – 13 more than this time last year.

Shortly before 22:00 on Wednesday night, Gardaí received a report of a serious collision involving a lorry and a car on the N61 Athlone Road at Newtown.

The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was removed from the scene by ambulance to Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, where he later died.

This fatal collision comes just over a day after a mother and her two young daughters (14- and 9-years old) lost their lives in a crash involving a lorry on the N17 between Knock and Claremorris in Co Mayo.

Road deaths in the first quarter of 2024 are now at the highest rate in a decade.

And the stark reality is that the figure of 55 roads death is likely to have increased by the time I return to my desk next Tuesday morning, after the long weekend.

If tragic incidents like these don’t hit home, then I’m afraid road safety in Ireland is a lost cause.

Gardaí say they will have a visible enforcement presence throughout the country during the Easter bank holiday weekend, but the onus is on you to take care at all times when behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Never drive while under the influence of alcohol of drugs, and never let a friend or loved one attempt to do so either. And of course, watch your speed.

Have a safe weekend…