Roche defends Byrne as road deaths spiral

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has defended Road Safety Authority chairman Gay Byrne after 13 people died on the roads since Sunday.

A call for Mr Byrne's resignation was rejected as "nonnsense" by Mr Roche this morning.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, he said: "He has done an extremely good job. He has taught common sense on the issue. He has helped to focus the issue."

"He is a robust individual doing a good job and he should stay in the job," Mr Roche said.

Mr Roche said politicians and government "can take certain steps" but added: "If we really want to stop the carnage on our roads more Irish people have to take responsibility for their actions."

A man in his late 40s was killed in a car crash in Co Offaly last night. The car in which the man was travelling crashed at Clongarret, Clonbologue at around 8pm.

The man, who has yet to be named, was later pronounced dead at Tullamore General Hospital.

The death toll on Irish roads for 2006 has now reached 218, 23 more than at the same time last year. A total of 13 people have died in nine crashes since Sunday.