Gardaí in Tralee, Co Kerry, are investigating a single-vehicle fatal accident in the early hours yesterday at Tubrid Mór, Ardfert, about five miles from Tralee.
Mr Donal Flaherty (24), a single man of Sackville, Ardfert, died in the accident which occurred at a bad bend.
Mr Flaherty's car, travelling towards Ardfert, appears to have hit a steel safety barrier, then jumped a wall, striking the porch of a family home at Tubrid Mór before landing in the front lawn.
Ms Ellen Davis, who lives in the house, said it was time to have the bend removed completely. They had several times complained to the local council about the danger posed by the bend, she said.
Kerry County Council had removed a ditch and erected a concrete barrier with some blocks removed so visibility could be improved. They had also put up slow signs and a steel barrier, but this was not enough, Ms Davis said.
There were incidents at the bend frequently, she added. Some had resulted in serious injuries, but there had been no fatalities until now, she believed.
"The family are constantly being woken. Just two weeks ago they awoke to find the barrier was bashed," Ms Davis said.
Early yesterday her mother, Ms Elizabeth Davis, was woken by a loud bang at 3.15 a.m. They found the car outside and called the emergency services who arrived in minutes.
A Garda spokesman said the bend was dangerous but that safety measures had been taken.