Eight weekend road accidents bring year's death toll to 346

The number of people killed on roads in the Republic so far this year has risen to 346 after eight people died in weekend accidents. The death toll is virtually the same as this time last year, despite a large increase in the number of arrests and fines for driving offences since the start of the "Operation Lifesaver" road safety campaign in July.

Up to September 21st, under the scheme, there were 583 arrests for drink driving, 12,700 fines and 8,400 summonses for speeding, 7,650 fines for failure to wear a seat-belt, and 700 penalties for vehicle faults.

The campaign follows a sharp increase in road deaths in recent years: there were 404 in 1994, 433 in 1995 and 453 last year.

The latest victim was Ms Karen Walsh (16), of Kinsealy, Co Dublin, who died in Beaumont Hospital yesterday after an accident in Swords. She was a passenger in a car which hit a tree shortly after midnight on Sunday.

In Co Roscommon, Mr Tom Fox (65), of Culleen, Knockcroghery, died after his car collided with another vehicle on the Roscommon to Athlone road at 9.10 p.m. on Sunday. The driver of the second car was said to be stable yesterday in Roscommon Hospital.

At Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, Mr Edward Enright (22), of Ballyhahill, Co Limerick, was fatally injured early on Sunday when the car he was driving crashed into another vehicle.

Mr Adrian Farrell (32), from Cornamaddy, Athlone, died after the car he was driving hit a row of bollards just outside Moate, Co Westmeath, at 2.30 a.m. yesterday.

A man in his 50s, whom gardai believe was the victim of a hit-and-run accident, was stable in Beaumont Hospital yesterday. He was found lying on a roadway at Blackbridge in Swords, at about 1.30 a.m.