Ireland’s killer roads claim four more victims
By Staff Reporter
irishpost.ie
THE MOUNTING death toll on Irish roads rose to more than 270 this year as a young woman was one of four people to be killed over the weekend.
It means 273 have so far lost their lives — 11 more than for the same period last year.
The 24-year-old woman, believed to be from Cork, died after her car was involved in a collision at Bruff in Limerick.
It happened on the main Limerick-Cork road at a spot known as O’Rourke’s Cross.
The male driver of the other car was taken to Mallow General Hospital where his injuries are not life-threatening.
In another tragedy a 60-year-old cyclist died after he was knocked down in Ennis in Co. Clare.
He was named as John Fitzgibbon from the Tulla Road area of Ennis.
It is understood Mr Fitzgibbon was either walking with his bicycle or cycling when he was struck by a passing taxi. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In Co. Kildare 45-year-old William Lanigan was killed when he was struck by a van while walking at Donadea in Naas.
And a motorist in his 60s was killed when the car he was driving was in collision with another car at Moate in Co. Westmeath.
He was named as Cyril O’Reilly of Rathfarnham in Dublin.
Two other people were taken to Tullamore Hospital after the crash but neither was believed to be seriously injured.
Road safety campaigners say the death toll on Ireland’s roads this year is almost certain to pass the total for 2005 if current trends continue.
The grim news comes despite a concerted garda crackdown on dangerous driving and the extension of the penalty points system
Campaigners say more still needs to be done to educate drivers about the dangers of speed and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Many have called for an education programme to be introduced in schools across Ireland to teach safe motoring techniques to youngsters even before they reach the legal driving age.