A husband and wife were killed instantly yesterday when their car and an articulated truck collided in Co Galway. John Fallon and Christine Newman report.
They were named locally as Mr Shay English and Ms Therese English, in their 40s, from Knocknacarra Park in Galway city.
The collision happened at Moyvilla, between Oranmore and Craughwell on the N6, main Galway to Dublin road at about 6.15 a.m.
The couple were travelling in an Opel Astra towards Dublin. The car and a left-hand drive articulated truck collided head-on at a bend in the road, close to Mother Hubbard's restaurant. The truck driver was not injured but badly shaken.
The truck is thought to have been travelling to Galway city.
The couple who died are survived by three sons, who are between 16 and 19 years of age. The family are originally from Dublin and have lived in Galway for 15 years.
Mr English worked as a sales representative for Nestle Ireland. The couple were on their way to Dublin to visit Ms English's mother.
Neighbour and local PD councillor Mr Donal Lyons said that the community was in shock.
"Shay and Therese have been residing here for about a decade and a half and were respected neighbours. The area is in shock over what has happened . . . Our deepest sympathy goes to the three boys. It is terrible what has happened," he said.
Members of the Garda Accident Investigation team travelled to Galway yesterday to assist in the investigation into the accident.
The collision caused traffic congestion with tailbacks of commuters travelling to work in Galway city and gardaí diverted traffic.
On Thursday evening, a 79-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a car near Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The man, who was cycling at Kilcooley, Gortnahoe, was taken to Cashel hospital but was pronounced dead. Gardaí at Urlingford are investigating the incident.
The fatalities bring to 49 the number of people who have died as a result of road accidents this year, which is 10 more than in the same period up to February 11th last year.
Figures issued by the National Safety Council (NSC) show that the number of people killed in the last seven days is 10 and 16 since the beginning of the month.
An NSC spokesman said that of the people who have died so far this year, 47 per cent were vehicle drivers, 28 per cent were passengers, 12 per cent were motorcyclists, 10 per cent were pedestrians and 3 per cent pedal cyclists.
He said that 30 per cent of the total were under 25 years.
Meanwhile, gardai at Dundalk Garda station are appealing for witnesses to the fatal collision last Saturday at 4 a.m. at Dowdallshill, Newry Road, Dundalk in which two men lost their lives.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gardaí at Dundalk on 042-9388400.