Gardaí are appealing for information following a road traffic collision in Co Kildare on Tuesday in which a woman was killed and two young children were seriously injured.
The collision between a car and a van, at approximately 6.15pm on Tuesday on the R148 at Cloncurry, near Enfield, was the third fatal road crash of 2024.
The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two young children travelling in the vehicle were taken to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin where their condition has been described as serious but stable.
The male driver of the van was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Another car subsequently collided with the van after the initial collision, but its driver did not require medical treatment.
The R148 at Cloncurry between Enfield and Kilcock was closed on Tuesday night with local diversions in place.
An examination of the scene by Garda forensic collision investigators was completed on Wednesday. The road has since re-opened.
Road users who may have camera footage from travelling on the R148 in between Enfield and Kilcock between 6pm and 6.30pm are asked to make it available to the Garda.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda station on (01) 666 7800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any station.
The first person to die on Irish roads in 2024 has been named as Keith Higginbotham (27) of Blackditch, Nurney, Co Kildare. He was a passenger in a car involved in a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision, which occurred on the M7 at Curraghfarm, between Kildare town and Newbridge, on New Year’s Day.
The second road traffic victim of the year, a motorcyclist who died following a crash in Co Cavan on Tuesday, has been named as Gary Murphy (48), a native of Cavan town.
Mr Higginbotham was killed when the car in which he was travelling left the motorway and struck a raised grass bank at 8.45pm. The driver, a man in his 20s, was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two other passengers avoided serious injury.
Mr Higginbotham is survived by his partner Lauren, father Tommy, and his two daughters. He was predeceased by his mother, Theresa.
Among those to pay tribute to the deceased man were Ceann Comhairle and local Kildare South TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who said: “Sincere sympathy to the entire Higginbotham [family] in your tragic loss. May Keith have eternal rest reunited with all the loved ones gone before him.”
Mr Murphy was killed when his motorbike collided with a car on the main Cavan to Ballinagh road (N55) at Corlurgan at about 3.10pm on Tuesday.
Locals described Mr Murphy “as an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to know” who “absolutely loved motorbikes”.
In a post on social media, his daughter Meadbh wrote: “Love you so much dad. I hope you’re at peace now.”
His cousin John Murphy wrote: “Everyone has that one cousin who is more like a brother. Gary was that one. My heart is broken. Love to you and all the family. Rest easy now.”
Mr Murphy is survived by his parents Kitty and Denis and four adult children.
A woman who died in a collision in Co Roscommon on New Year’s Eve has been named as Helen Horan (85) from Sligo town.
She died after two cars collided on the N4 at Doon, near Boyle, shortly before 5pm. Ms Horan, the driver of one of the cars, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the second car, a man in his 30s was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital. His injuries are understood to be serious.
The funeral of Ms Horan, who was originally from Boyle and was predeceased by her husband Kieran, will take place on Friday.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the separate incidents. Anyone with any information is asked to contact their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
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