Latest news with #LeasCathaoirleach
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- Sunday World
Canadian tourist amongst women killed in weekend of road fatalities
The woman was allegedly cycling with a tour group when she was involved in a collision with a tractor Any witnesses to the crash are urged to contact gardai (PA) It is understood that a Canadian tourist is amongst the women who lost their lives on Irish roads over the weekend. The woman, aged in her 70s, was allegedly cycling with a tour group when she was involved in a collision with a tractor in Toonagh, Tulla, on Saturday, May 24. The woman has not yet been named, but the Sunday World understands she was on holidays in Ireland as part of a cycling group touring County Clare. Councillor Mary Howard, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, said the County was celebrating the lack of road deaths so far this year when tragedy struck. 'On Friday we were kind of clapping ourselves on the back, saying we had no road deaths – you'd get a chill when you think about it,' Cllr Howard said. 'This woman came to Ireland on holidays, she was enjoying her vacation. This is a nightmare for her family and friends and the rest of the tour group, I can imagine. 'My thoughts and prayers go to her family and her friends who were here with her. There are truly no words.' Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene following report of the collision, which occurred on the L3180 at approximately 12.45pm. The woman was pronounced deceased at the scene and her body was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick. This fatality marks the first death on Clare roads this year. Investigations are ongoing.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Fringe Fleadh launched in Weford with a line-up designed to celebrate the richness of Irish identity
This event marked the beginning of a season of Irish music, culture, and community celebration, with Gorey Community School once again playing host to the County Fleadh, taking place from May 16 to 18, for the second consecutive year. At the launch, Leas Cathaoirleach of Gorey Municipal District Cllr Donal Kenny, welcomed all attendees and praised the talent, energy, and dedication of all involved. He spoke of the excitement felt throughout Gorey to once again be home to this important cultural event. Speaking on the 2025 Fringe Fleadh line-up, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Pip Breen, described the festival as an immersive cultural experience designed to celebrate the richness of Irish identity. 'These events don't just entertain – they connect us,' he said. 'They weave a thread between communities, between generations, and between the past and the present. That's what makes the Fringe Fleadh so special here in Wexford. They remind us of who we are and the values we hold dear; creativity, community, heritage, tradition, and heart.' This year's Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman was organised once again by CCÉ Gorey/Ballygarrett. Chairperson Paula Carroll thanked her hardworking team for their tireless commitment over two consecutive years. She also thanked the members and staff of the Gorey-Kilmuckridge District for their continued support, highlighting the lasting friendships and community spirit fostered through the event. Paula also welcomed Irish international rugby player Aoife Wafer, who spoke about how her early involvement in Irish music remains a part of her life to this day and continues to help her connect with people across the world. Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe, officially launched the Fringe Fleadh programme, which will see cultural events taking place across Wexford throughout the summer in the lead-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August. Mr Taaffe paid tribute to the members of Wexford County Council, the members of the Fleadh Cheoil Executive Committee (FEC) and to the many dedicated volunteers who have played a pivotal role in the success of both this and last year's Fleadh. Chairperson of Comhaltas Loch Garman, Sharon Ní Chuilinn, also addressed the crowd in attendance, praising the commitment and collaboration of volunteers and organisers across the county. Reflecting on last year's success, she shared her enthusiasm for the Fringe Fleadh 2025 programme, which will bring the spirit of Irish music, dance, art, and storytelling to communities across Wexford this summer. Sharon thanked Gorey Community School for supporting Comhaltas with such a fantastic venue which enables us cater for almost 1,000 competitors and their families over the weekend. The event concluded with the Chairperson officially launching Fleadh Cheoil Loch Garman. The evening concluded with a concert by internationally acclaimed traditional Irish band Goitse, warmly welcomed by the local Comhaltas branch CCE Gorey/Ballygarrett. Their performance marked a fitting celebration of the official launch and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting season of culture and community. Full details of the Fringe Fleadh programme are available via QR codes on-site or by visiting
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Child who died after being struck by car in Westmeath housing estate celebrated fourth birthday over Easter weekend
LATEST | Three people killed on Ireland's roads over Easter weekend Young child killed after being struck by a car in housing estate in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Monday Man (20s) killed on Monday after his motorcycle collided with a car in Co Limerick Man (18) killed while riding a scrambler bike on Sunday in Dublin named as Jason Monks, his heartbroken family pay tribute Today at 01:00 A child, a teenager and a young man in his twenties were all killed on Ireland's roads over the Easter bank holiday weekend. A young boy died after being struck by a car in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The incident occurred shortly after 6.30pm on Monday in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar. He was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Irish Independent understands the young boy only celebrated his fourth birthday over the weekend. On Tuesday morning, garda forensic collision investigators towed away the car believed to have been involved in the road accident. . That move is just part of an extensive garda investigation which is now underway in a bid to establish both the cause and circumstances surrounding yesterday evening's tragedy. As those inquiries continue, locals have been expressing their shock and disbelief at the news. Westmeath County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Mick Dollard said neighbours and those living locally had been left 'traumatised' by the events of yesterday evening. 'I can tell you from emails I have received already this morning people are traumatised by it quite frankly,' he said. 'When something like this happens, people immediately think about their children and their grandchildren.' Those sentiments were endorsed by Fine Gael Cllr Andrew Duncan who said locals living on the estate were still attempting to come to terms with the news. 'It's just a very unfortunate and tragic situation for everybody involved,' he told the Irish Independent. In a separate incident, a motorcyclist, aged in his 20s, died in Co Limerick after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. The incident took place in Ardagh village at the intersection of the R521 and R523. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem will take place. The male driver of the car was brought to University Hospital Kerry for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The intersection where the incident occurred remained closed overnight ahead of a technical examination to be carried out by gardaí on Tuesday morning. While in Dublin, the mother of an 18-year-old who was killed in a motorbike crash in Dublin on Sunday evening says her 'heart is shattered into a million bits'. Jason Monks died when the scrambler motorbike he was riding collided with a car on Citywest Avenue in west Dublin. It happened at around 8pm, not far from his home. Family members have been paying tribute to the young father-of-one, and a GoFundMe page has been set up for his family. His grieving mother Donna wrote on Facebook: 'Oh Lord, please let this be a big bad dream. That big strong boy was my baby. There was nothing in this world he wouldn't do for his mammy. My heart is shattered into a million bits. I can't cope. Why my handsome young man? Why? 'My beautiful baby boy. How is my life ever going to be the same ever again? Eighteen years of loving you, the best 18 years of my life. I will love you always, my beautiful boy.' Mr Monks's partner Shannon shared a photograph of him holding their baby daughter and wrote: 'Wish this was all a bad dream.' Shannon's grandfather Mark posted pictures of Mr Monks and said: 'Our granddaughter Shannon lost her partner and our great granddaughter lost her Dad, Jason Monks, last night. We are heartbroken for them and Jason's family. 'A lovely young man with the biggest heart, and a smile and laugh that would cheer you up in the worst of days. A person who would do anything to help anyone who needed it. 'We are heartbroken but also smiling when we see the things people have up in Facebook and videos which will help in the coming time. We are all going to miss you. RIP our friend, our family. Keep an eye on us all from up there.' A friend wrote that Mr Monks was 'one of a kind and would do anything for anyone, from fixing bikes and lawnmowers, cutting grass or any jobs that needed to be done. He would help anyone.' Another friend, Maria, has opened a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. 'At approximately 8pm gardaí and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a scrambler motorbike on Citywest Avenue, Dublin 24,' the force said in a statement. 'The driver of the scrambler, an adult male aged in his late teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.' A post-mortem examination will take place in due course, gardaí said. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examined the scene and the road has since been reopened. 'Any road users who may have camera footage [including dash-cam] and were travelling in the area between 7.45pm and 8.15pm are asked to make this footage available,' gardaí said. 'Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght garda station on (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.' A number of people were seriously injured on the roads over the weekend too. A man, aged in his 30s, suffered serious injuries following a collision involving a car and a motorcycle in Co Kilkenny on Sunday. The incident took place around 12.40pm on Sunday afternoon on the R448 at Knockwilliam. The motorcyclist involved in the collision, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where he remains in serious condition. No injuries were reported as a result of the collision. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí. Meanwhile, in Co Sligo, a nine-year-old boy, a three-year-old girl and two women were seriously injured in a crash on Monday. Gardaí were called to the scene of the collision in Co Sligo on Monday between two cars on the N59 in Ballysadare in Sligo around 2.30pm. Two women, one aged in her 40s and the other in her 20s, and the two children were brought to Sligo University Hospital with serious injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the second car, a woman in her 50s, was brought to the hospital for assessment. Local diversions are in place while gardaí carry out an examination of the scene.
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Young child struck by car in Co Westmeath housing estate celebrated fourth birthday over Easter weekend
LATEST | Three people killed on Ireland's roads over Easter weekend Young child killed after being struck by a car in housing estate in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Monday Man (20s) killed on Monday after his motorcycle collided with a car in Co Limerick Man (18) killed while riding a scrambler bike on Sunday in Dublin named as Jason Monks, his heartbroken family pay tribute Today at 01:00 A child, a teenager and a young man in his twenties were all killed on Ireland's roads over the Easter bank holiday weekend. A young boy died after being struck by a car in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The incident occurred shortly after 6.30pm on Monday in Farranshock Estate, Mullingar. He was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Mullingar Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Irish Independent understands the young boy only celebrated his fourth birthday over the weekend. On Tuesday morning, garda forensic collision investigators towed away the car believed to have been involved in the road accident. . That move is just part of an extensive garda investigation which is now underway in a bid to establish both the cause and circumstances surrounding yesterday evening's tragedy. As those inquiries continue, locals have been expressing their shock and disbelief at the news. Westmeath County Council Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Mick Dollard said neighbours and those living locally had been left 'traumatised' by the events of yesterday evening. 'I can tell you from emails I have received already this morning people are traumatised by it quite frankly,' he said. 'When something like this happens, people immediately think about their children and their grandchildren.' ADVERTISEMENT Those sentiments were endorsed by Fine Gael Cllr Andrew Duncan who said locals living on the estate were still attempting to come to terms with the news. 'It's just a very unfortunate and tragic situation for everybody involved,' he told the Irish Independent. In a separate incident, a motorcyclist, aged in his 20s, died in Co Limerick after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. The incident took place in Ardagh village at the intersection of the R521 and R523. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed to University Hospital Limerick where a postmortem will take place. The male driver of the car was brought to University Hospital Kerry for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The intersection where the incident occurred remained closed overnight ahead of a technical examination to be carried out by gardaí on Tuesday morning. While in Dublin, the mother of an 18-year-old who was killed in a motorbike crash in Dublin on Sunday evening says her 'heart is shattered into a million bits'. Jason Monks died when the scrambler motorbike he was riding collided with a car on Citywest Avenue in west Dublin. It happened at around 8pm, not far from his home. Family members have been paying tribute to the young father-of-one, and a GoFundMe page has been set up for his family. His grieving mother Donna wrote on Facebook: 'Oh Lord, please let this be a big bad dream. That big strong boy was my baby. There was nothing in this world he wouldn't do for his mammy. My heart is shattered into a million bits. I can't cope. Why my handsome young man? Why? 'My beautiful baby boy. How is my life ever going to be the same ever again? Eighteen years of loving you, the best 18 years of my life. I will love you always, my beautiful boy.' Mr Monks's partner Shannon shared a photograph of him holding their baby daughter and wrote: 'Wish this was all a bad dream.' Shannon's grandfather Mark posted pictures of Mr Monks and said: 'Our granddaughter Shannon lost her partner and our great granddaughter lost her Dad, Jason Monks, last night. We are heartbroken for them and Jason's family. 'A lovely young man with the biggest heart, and a smile and laugh that would cheer you up in the worst of days. A person who would do anything to help anyone who needed it. 'We are heartbroken but also smiling when we see the things people have up in Facebook and videos which will help in the coming time. We are all going to miss you. RIP our friend, our family. Keep an eye on us all from up there.' A friend wrote that Mr Monks was 'one of a kind and would do anything for anyone, from fixing bikes and lawnmowers, cutting grass or any jobs that needed to be done. He would help anyone.' Another friend, Maria, has opened a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. 'At approximately 8pm gardaí and emergency services responded to a collision involving a car and a scrambler motorbike on Citywest Avenue, Dublin 24,' the force said in a statement. 'The driver of the scrambler, an adult male aged in his late teens, was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.' A post-mortem examination will take place in due course, gardaí said. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examined the scene and the road has since been reopened. 'Any road users who may have camera footage [including dash-cam] and were travelling in the area between 7.45pm and 8.15pm are asked to make this footage available,' gardaí said. 'Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tallaght garda station on (01) 6666000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.' A number of people were seriously injured on the roads over the weekend too. A man, aged in his 30s, suffered serious injuries following a collision involving a car and a motorcycle in Co Kilkenny on Sunday. The incident took place around 12.40pm on Sunday afternoon on the R448 at Knockwilliam. The motorcyclist involved in the collision, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where he remains in serious condition. No injuries were reported as a result of the collision. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardaí. Meanwhile, in Co Sligo, a nine-year-old boy, a three-year-old girl and two women were seriously injured in a crash on Monday. Gardaí were called to the scene of the collision in Co Sligo on Monday between two cars on the N59 in Ballysadare in Sligo around 2.30pm. Two women, one aged in her 40s and the other in her 20s, and the two children were brought to Sligo University Hospital with serious injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the second car, a woman in her 50s, was brought to the hospital for assessment.
