SEVEN people lost their lives at the weekend in accidents throughout the State - one of the worst weekends for road deaths.
Three people were killed at 11.30 p.m. on Saturday when two motorcycles were involved in a head on collision on the newly opened South Link Road. The road had been closed to public traffic since Friday last because of the World 500cc Motocross Championships which are taking place at the Vernon Mount headquarters of the Munster Motorcycle and Car Club, adjacent to the road.
While the general public was prevented access, participants in the championships and spectators going specifically to Vernon Mount were allowed onto the new carriageway.
The dead were named as Mr Edward O'Keeffe (31), of Clashduv Road, Cork; his pillion passenger, Ms Dearbhla O'Sullivan, of St Brigid Street, in Cork, who was originally from Ring, Co Waterford; and Mr Joe Cogan (23), of Landscape Park, Pouladuff, Cork. Mr O'Keeffe and Ms O'Sullivan died at the scene of the crash, and Mr Cogan died later at the Cork University Hospital where he was taken by ambulance.
Mr Don Weldon, a spokesman for the club, told The Irish Timed the accident and "appalling loss of life" had numbed everyone at the club. He said Mr O'Keeffe and Ms O'Sullivan were enthusiastic motorcyclists who often helped out during events at the club although they were not members. Mr Cogan was not known to him, he added.
Mr Weldon said the couple had been assisting with arrangements for the event and were returning to the city when the accident occurred at a bend on the roadway.
"The club is shocked by what has happened and there is a great deal of sympathy for the families," he added.
It is understood Mr Cogan was on his way to Vernon Mount when the collision occurred.
Yesterday at 1.30 p.m., a minute's silence was observed prior to the first of two grand prix events being staged there.
On Saturday, at about 2.30 p.m., Mr Jeremiah Mullane (85), of Ballymakeera village on the Cork/Killarney road, was killed instantly when he was struck by a passing car as he was walking on the road.
A Dublin man was killed early yesterday when his motorcycle collided with a wall at Leinster Road, Rathmines. He was Mr Gerard Donnelly (20) of New Ireland Road, Rialto.
Gardai in Co Waterford have issued an appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident which claimed the life of a local woman. The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon near the village of Kilmeaden and involved a minibus carrying English tourists to Rosslare and a car being driven by the deceased.
The passengers in the mini bus received only minor injuries and were treated at Waterford Regional Hospital. A post mortem on the dead woman is to be carried out and an inquest will be held in the near future.
Gardai have urged anyone who saw the accident, on the main Waterford to Cork road, to come forward.
A post mortem will be carried out today on the remains of an Offaly man who was killed instantly when struck by a passenger train close to his home on Saturday night.
Mr James Whelan (58), Rahan Road, Tullamore, died at the scene after being struck by the 6.39 pm. Westport to Dublin train about a mile outside Tullamore Station. He was married and the father of three children.