First person to die on Irish roads in 2024 is named as Kildare sees two fatalities in 24 hours

Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was the first person to die on Irish roads in 2024.

Keith Higginbotham (27) of Blackditch, Nurney, Co Kildare, 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.

Tuesday saw a second road fatality in Co Kildare when a woman was killed and two young children were taken to hospital following a crash.

The latest collision occurred between a car and a van at approximately 6.15pm on the R148 at Cloncurry in Enfield.

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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.

The death of the woman was the third road fatality of 2024.

[ Mounting fatalities on Irish roads mark ‘horrendous and devastating’ 2023 ]

In Co Cavan, a male motorcyclist, aged in his 40s, died following a crash on the main Cavan to Ballinagh road (N55) at Corlurgan at about 3.10pm on Tuesday.

On Monday, Mr Higginbotham was killed when the car in which he was travelling as a passenger 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.”

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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