FIVE people died in traffic accidents over the weekend.
In west Cork, two people died and a garda was seriously injured yesterday when a car left the Clonakilty Bandon road at Grillagh. The driver of the car, Mr Anthony Murphy of Ardkit, Enniskeane, Co Cork, and one of two pedestrians struck by the vehicle, Ms Yvonne Sheehan (25) of Mill Hill, Distillery Road, Bandon, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The other pedestrian was Ms Sheehan's boyfriend, Garda Michael Hickey, who was taken to Cork University Hospital but transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin where he is said to be critical.
In Co Limerick, a man, later named as Mr Gerry Costelloe (55), of Adare, died alter his vehicle hit a parked car in the town yesterday. In Co Louth, a motorist died when his vehicle left the road at Collon on Saturday. He was Mr Eamonn Hiney (48), of Dundalk.
Gardai in Bray, Co Wicklow, seek witnesses to an accident at Kilmacanogue on Saturday at about 5 p.m., when Mr John Clarke (88) of Crinnion Park, Wicklow, was killed as he crossed the road. Also on Saturday, nine people were taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Co Galway, when three cars were in collision on the Athlone route.