FOUR MEN died over the weekend in crashes in counties Monaghan, Meath and Roscommon.
A man in his 20s lost his life in a single vehicle incident at Ballydooley on the main Castlerea to Roscommon road at about 5.30pm yesterday.
A man in his 40s died when the lorry he was driving crashed off the main R190 Cootehill to Ballybay road in Co Monaghan at 1.30pm yesterday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A Garda spokesman said there was no other vehicle involved.
Several hours earlier, a motorcyclist, also in his 40s, died in a head-on collision with a car at Aghalisk on the N54 between Clones and Monaghan town.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk. There were no other casualties reported.
Both roads were closed for several hours while Garda forensic investigators examined the scenes. The victims’ names have not been released.
Gardaí yesterday appealed to witnesses to either crash to contact them.
On Saturday evening, a motorcyclist in his 30s was killed when he crashed on the Crossakiel circuit.
A Garda spokesman said the man was taking part in an event as part of the annual Kells motorbike road races. His body was taken to Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan for a postmortem. The Health and Safety Authority is investigating the crash.
Meanwhile, a woman in her 50s was in a serious condition yesterday in Cork University Hospital following a road traffic incident.
The woman sustained serious injuries yesterday morning after being struck by a truck while on horseback.
The crash took place shortly after 10am on the R666 Fermoy to Ballyduff road in Co Cork.
The male driver of the truck was also taken to hospital. His condition was described as not life threatening.
A Donegal man has been killed in a motorcycle crash while holidaying in Greece. Phillip McGettigan (37), a native of New Line Road, Letterkenny, was fatally injured yesterday morning.
News of his death has stunned the local community where his large family are well known, particularly in GAA circles. His parents are James and Cora McGettigan and he is predeceased by his brother Peter. Prayers were said for Mr McGettigan at the blessing of the graves ceremony which took place at Conwal cemetery in Letterkenny yesterday afternoon.
Mr McGettigan was living in Galway where he worked in the entertainment industry. His brother Leslie is a former county championship winner with St Eunan’s GAA Club, while his father James is a lifelong member of the club.