EIGHT PEOPLE died in road accidents over the Christmas/ New Year period. Three people died yesterday. Mr Anthony Curran (44), of Clifden, Co Galway, a pedestrian, died after being struck by a car at Clifden. Mr John Stapleton, in his late 20s, from Newport, Co Tipperary, died when the car he was driving was involved in an accident at Birdhill, Co Tipperary. A pedestrian who was injured by a car at Blackrock, Co Louth, in the week before Christmas, died yesterday at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. He was Mr Declan McNeaney, from Haggardstown, Co Louth.