Three road deaths in one day as woman, 20s, hit by car

Three people have been killed in separate road incidents today, bringing the total number of deaths in 2024 to seven.

In the latest incident, a woman in her 20s was killed in Co Donegal after being hit by a car.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene on the N56 road at Illistrin this evening.

Emergency services have closed off the road between Letterkenny and Kilmacrennan and local diversions are in place.

Gardaí in Milford are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 074 9153060.

Earlier, a woman in her 80s died following a collision in Co Meath.

The crash, involving a car and a minibus, happened on the R156 at Scarriff Bridge at around midday.

The woman, who was the driver of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 50s, who was driving the minibus, and a passenger of the vehicle were taken to Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar where they are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

In Co Mayo this morning, a man in his 30s died following a two-car collision.

The crash occurred at around 7.45am at Belladaff, Tagheen, near Claremorris.

The man, who was travelling alone in one of the cars, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman, in her 20s, who was driving the second car, was taken to Mayo University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents can contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

The other fatal crashes this week occurred in Cavan, Kerry and two in Kildare.

Earlier this week, the Road Safety Authority said that some 184 people were killed on Irish roads in 2023.

Last year saw the highest number of fatalities in almost a decade, after 192 people lost their lives on the roads in 2014.

Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, eight were cyclists and three were e-scooter users.

The counties that recorded the highest number of deaths were Tipperary (16), Dublin (15), Cork (15), Galway (13) and Mayo (12). These accounted for 39% of the total fatalities.

The figures represent a 19% increase in road deaths compared to 2022.