Garda appeal after spate of road deaths

A total of 92 people have died in fatal road traffic crashes to date in 2021.

Following the deaths of six road users on Irish roads in just 24 hours last week, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) issued an urgent appeal to all road users to take greater care on the roads over the weekend.

The message was also shared locally, where despite this, local officers in Cavan received a report of dangerous driving from a member of the public where a vehicle had undertaken a number of vehicles along the hard shoulder on the N3.

"Road conditions at the time were also hazardous," report gardaí. "This vehicle was intercepted and the driver was arrested, brought to Bailieboro Garda Station and charged to Court."

On Monday last meanwhile, a driver appeared before the courts after Cavan Roads Policing Unit on the N55 intercepted a van speeding at 125kmph. The driver's details were taken and an oral fluid test was positive for drugs. An arrest was made and as the driver was being processed at Granard Garda Station it was established they were currently disqualified and a bench warrant was also in existence for their arrest.

Only last week, August 17, did Cavan Roads Policing Unit detected a driver travelling at 165kmph at night-time on the N3.

While in the space of 24 hours, between Saturday-Sunday, August 14-15, Gardaí in Monaghan arrested three drivers on suspicion of drink driving.

One of the cars involved contained seven occupants.

In a post on social media, gardaí said: "Please before you get behind the wheel think about your decision to drive under the influence of alcohol as it could have life changing repercussions for you and others."

The garda appeal urging all road users to take greater care on the roads occurred hours before a serious three car collision occurred on the R198 at Cahanagh, Drumlish Road, Longford on Thursday, August 19, at 2.50pm.

One female driver (late 50s) was removed to Tullamore Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition.

The second female driver (early 50s) was airlifted to Tallaght Hospital in a serious condition. The third female driver (early 30s) and her two female passengers (40 years and 14 years) all received medical attention at the scene.

An appeal has since been launched asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or were travelling on the R198 in the townland of Cahanagh, Drumlish Road, Longford between 2.30-3pm on Thursday, August 19, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) to make it available to Gardaí.

A total of 92 people have died in fatal road traffic crashes to date in 2021.

Three more people have been killed on the road this year compared to the same period last year.