Garda chief urges caution on the roads

The region’s top cop has urged drivers to take extra care on the roads over the Christmas period, as recent weeks have seen a worrying number of serious collisions and fatalities.

“Every loss on our roads is deeply felt,” said Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern. “Behind each collision is a family and a community dealing with heartbreak, particularly difficult at this time of year.”

Provisional figures for 2025 (as of December 22) show two road deaths in Cavan, showing a downward trend compared to previous years, with four in Monaghan, and eight in Louth - where a single crash accounted for over 60% of the deaths there.

Of 14 road fatalities in across the three counties, four involved HGVs, while pedestrians and motorcyclists accounted for almost one in four deaths (two each). There was also a noticeable cluster of fatal accidents in late autumn/winter in 2025, and the majority of those who lost their lives locally were female.

Cavan’s 2025 road deaths include Dmytro Yefimenko, a Ukrainian national living in Plush, Cloverhill, who died while walking on January 18; and Anna Brady (née Kiernan), 82, of Kilnacor, Crosskeys, who was killed in a two-vehicle collision at Carrickatober on October 7.

Three people died on Cavan roads in 2024, half the number from the previous year.

In 2024, Monaghan recorded two road fatalities, whereas there were nine in Louth.

Monaghan’s most recent tragedy occurred December 18, when Emma Mackarel (née McClean), a married mum of two from Clones, died when her car was involved in a collision with a lorry on the N2 at Annalitten near Castleblayney.

Her death follows that of Benedict Murphy (60s), a pedestrian struck by a lorry in Monaghan Town less than a week before, December 13.

Earlier in the year, former Armagh LGFA player and coach Aoife Lennon (38), lost her life in a crash at Castleshane on September 10; and Les Reyburn (40s) died in June when his motorcycle collided with a car on the R190 at Lisnalong.

Five of Louth’s road deaths were linked to a single crash on November 15 on the L3168 near Gibstown, that claimed the lives of Chloe McGee (23) and Shay Duffy (21), both from Carrickmacross; Alan McCluskey (23) from Drumconrath, Co Meath; Dillon Commins (23) from Ardee; and Chloe Hipson (21) from Lanarkshire, Scotland, but living in Monaghan at the time.

Chief Supt McGovern reiterated his plea to drivers to slow down, pay attention, and drive responsibly. He said increased traffic with people travelling home for the festive season, shorter daylight hours, winter weather and seasonal socialising can all contribute to higher risk on the roads.

“Most people set out with the best of intentions, but a moment’s inattention or a poor decision can change lives forever,” he said.

Gardaí meanwhile will have an increased presence on roads throughout the region, with checkpoints and patrols in place.

As part of a national campaign motorists are being reminded to slow down, avoid distractions, wear seatbelts and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

However, Chief Supt McGovern stressed that road safety ultimately depends on individual choices. “We can have a visible Garda presence, but we also rely on people to take responsibility for themselves and for others,” he continued. “Taking a few extra minutes on a journey is a small price to pay if it means getting home safely,” he said.

Chief Supt McGovern concluded by saying his thoughts remain with families who have lost loved ones on the roads, noting that “the impact of such loss is felt long after headlines fade.”