N3 crash claims a second life
Wife of Donegal footballer passes away in hospital
Monday's fatal crash on the N3 at Lavey has claimed a second life - bringing to seven the number of people killed on roads on County Cavan so far this year.
Former Donegal footballer James McHugh (62) lost his life in the collision on Monday afternoon, August 10, when the car he was driving collided with a van at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, shortly before 2pm.
His passenger, Noreen McHugh, was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment but sadly passed away yesterday evening (Tuesday).
The male driver of the van, aged in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital with minor injuries arising from the accident.
All-Ireland winning Donegal footballer James McHugh is native of Kilcar. He is the brother of former Cavan manager Martin.
Chairperson of Cavan GAA, Mark O’Rourke said he was saddened following the accident and offered his condolences to the McHugh family in the wake of the accident. “We are thinking of you all at this time.”
Mr McHugh was one of the most celebrated members of the Donegal team, which made history by securing the county’s first-ever All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title in 1992.
Playing at half-forward, he started the All-Ireland final against Dublin at Croke Park and scored a point as Donegal recorded a famous 0-18 to 0-14 victory.
His performances during that historic season earned him an All-Star award, adding individual recognition to one of the greatest achievements in Donegal GAA history. He was also named ‘Man of the Match’ following Donegal’s 1990 Ulster final victory.
Mr McHugh represented Donegal at senior level throughout the 1990s, making 59 appearances for the county between 1990 and 1996. He also enjoyed considerable success with his club, Kilcar, helping them to Donegal Senior Football Championship titles in 1985, 1989 and 1993.
He was part of a remarkable McHugh footballing family. His brother Martin was also a member of Donegal’s 1992 All-Ireland winning team and later went on to become a prominent manager and GAA pundit.
Away from football, father of two James worked as a network technician with the ESB.
His daughter Emma is a Special Advisor to Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee.
Appeal
Gardaí have now launched an appeal for witnesses, particularly anyone who was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan between 1pm and 2pm on Monday.
Motorists who were in the area and may have dashcam or other camera footage are asked to make it available to investigating gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042-9694570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The latest accident brings to seven the number of people who have lost their lives on roads in Cavan so far in 2026, more than trebling the county’s total for all of 2025, when two people lost their lives in road accidents.
Just a few weeks ago, Nell Raven and her daughter Ira (10) lost their lives in an accident near Shercock on July 24 following a collision with a van.
Earlier in the month, popular publican Patsy McKenna (79), proprietor of Nobby’s in Corgreagh, Kill, lost his life in a motorcycle collision in Tullyvin on July 5.
The other fatalities in Cavan this year were David McBride from Castlebellingham, who died in an accident near Shercock in February, and Tommy Reilly (34) from Drumavaddy, who lost his life in an accident at Carrickaboy in early May while travelling to a charity tractor run.
A total of 114 people have died on Irish roads in 2026 according to provisional An Garda Síochána data up to early August, representing an increase of 13 deaths compared to the same period in 2025.