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Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí condemn 'fake news' following death of Kevin Flatley in Dublin crash
Gardaí have hit out at "fake news" and misinformation surrounding the incident which killed one of their members on Sunday. Garda Kevin Flatley died after being struck by a high-powered Yamaha R1 1,000cc motorcycle during a speed check in Dublin. Since that incident, posts on social media have appeared claiming to be from "eyewitness accounts." On Wednesday morning, a statement from the force criticised these posts as "completely inaccurate." A spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána is aware of content on social media platforms which purports to give an eyewitness account relating to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Sunday, 11th May 2025, in North Co. Dublin. "The commentary being circulated online is completely inaccurate and has no basis whatsoever in fact. This type of misinformation also risks diverting Garda resources and time from what is a complex and ongoing investigation into this collision. "We have regularly highlighted the rise in the level of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news." The statement added that misinformation, disinformation, and fake news are "typically amplified by multiple accounts in order to spread concern within communities." It continued: "We appeal to all members of the public to independently verify any information that you are reading on social media and/or messaging apps." An Garda Síochána has made social media companies aware of this misinformation. Read More Elaine Loughlin: Independent Ireland not too keen on speed limit changes
RTÉ News
14-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Gardaí issue warning over misinformation on crash in which garda was killed
Gardaí have issued a warning over content on social media regarding a road incident in Dublin at the weekend in which a garda was killed. Garda Kevin Flatley, 49, was killed after he was struck by a motorcycle while carrying out a checkpoint on Sunday afternoon. In a statement this morning, gardaí said they are "aware of content on social media platforms which purports to give an eye-witness account" in relation to the incident, describing it as "completely inaccurate" and with "no basis whatsoever in fact". They said misinformation like this "risks diverting garda resources and time from what is a complex and ongoing investigation" into the incident. "Misinformation, disinformation and fake news are typically amplified by multiple accounts in order to spread concern within communities. "We appeal to all members of the public to independently verify any information that you are reading on social media and/ or messaging apps", the statement added. Gardaí also said they have made social media companies aware of the misinformation, adding "it is a matter for them to comment on requests from An Garda Síochána for this material to be removed from their platforms". — Garda Info (@gardainfo) May 14, 2025 At around 1pm on Sunday, Gda Flatley was using a speed gun and recorded a motorcyclist travelling at speed on the R132, the old Swords to Balbriggan Road, at Lissenhall, and tried to flag him down. However, the garda was struck by a high-powered Yamaha R1 1000cc motorcycle and died at the scene. The motorcyclist, who is aged in his 30s, was critically injured in the incident and remains in Beaumont Hospital.
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Elaine Loughlin: Independent Ireland not too keen on speed limit changes
Silage season is in full swing, and for members of Independent Ireland it is causing real frustration and a level of road rage that warrants attention. Just days after the tragic death of Garda Kevin Flatley, the party has come out calling for increases to speed limits. Garda Flatley died after being struck by a motorbike during a speed check, the high-powered Yamaha R1 1000cc motorcycle continued on for around 500m and crossed the road median before finally crashing into a bus stop. But Michael Collins, Richard O'Donoghue, and Ken O'Flynn believe that the current speed limits on many roads are too low and used much of their time with the media on Tuesday to vent frustrations about being stuck behind agricultural vehicles. Stretches of roads, which have recorded no fatalities or accidents, have gone from 80km to 60km, the group protested. It prompted one journalist to ask whether those responsible for setting the limits should wait for a tragic accident before taking action. While all motorists will relate to the agonising experience of snailing behind a Massey Ferguson as it trundles along winding rural roads, the statistics speak for themselves. Speed is a factor in one third of fatal collisions in Ireland. When a car hits a pedestrian or cyclists at 50 km/h, they have a 50% chance of living. Hit them at 60 km/h, and that chance drops to just 10%. But Independent Ireland has taken issue with new default speed limits that came into force in February following a recommendation of the 2023 Speed Limit Review and believe that setting limits should be up to local authorities and the gardaí. "I drive trucks, I drive tractors, I'm from a rural community," Mr O'Donoghue began, adding that on local roads where "you're not allowed cut the hedges, so now you have to drive in the middle of the road in certain areas," a reduced speed is merited. "You then go on to a regional road, and I'm doing 60 km/h, 53 or 54 km/h in a tractor, and I'm looking behind me, and there's a queue of traffic, no place for me to pull in, and there's a queue of probably half a kilometre behind me." Mr O'Donoghue argued that this is prompting some drivers to go "nuts" and overtake the entire tailback. Outlining the solution, party colleague Mr Collins said: "If there's black spots, gardaí know where they are, the local authority knows where they are and they need to work there, not put a blanket ban [in place]. So yes, reductions need to happen when there's accidents happening, but certainly not a blanket ban across the country. He added: "You have a situation in parts of my own constituency, and I can guarantee a lot of other constituencies here, where a tractor, a silage tractor, can hold for 20 for 25 kilometers, doing 20km/h. That's an insane situation, and that needs to be addressed by government." There is an argument to be made in giving power to local councillors or gardaí, who have a knowledge of particularly dangerous stretches of road. But imagine the uproar there would be, including from politicians, when a decision is taken not to reduce a specific road and then an accident does happen? Read More Alan Kelly accuses Garda Commissioner of 'failing' in road policing staff numbers
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Funeral of Garda Kevin Flatley, killed on duty, to take place Friday
Garda Kevin Flatley is to be laid to rest on Friday, it has emerged. The funeral is due to take place in his adopted home town of Balbriggan in north County Dublin on Friday afternoon. It takes place at St Peter and Paul's Church in the town at 1.30pm. It is a family funeral, but there will be full Garda honours for the officer. He will then be laid to rest at Newcastle Cemetery in south Co Dublin, where he previously lived. Officers from all over the state are expected to attend the ceremony, which will take place five days after Garda Flatley, 49, lost his life in the line of duty. A notice posted on the website on Tuesday evening confirmed the funeral details. It said: 'Flatley, Kevin, 11 May 2025, (Balbriggan and formerly of Newcastle, Co. Dublin), (Unexpectedly), dedicated member of An Garda Síochána. 'An avid member and coach of O'Dywers GAA local club. Predeceased by his sister Elaine. 'Beloved husband of Úna and loving father of Erin and Aoife. Very sadly missed by his adoring wife and daughters, parents Michael and Breda, brother John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours. 'Reposing at McNally's Funeral Home, Balbriggan (K32 FN34) on Thursday 15th May from 4pm to 7pm. Removal on Friday afternoon to S.S. Peter and Paul's Church, Balbriggan arriving for Funeral Mass at 1.30pm followed by Burial in Newcastle Cemetery, Co. Dublin.' The notice says the house is private and requests family flowers only. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Little Blue Heroes, a registered charity set up by serving and former gardai to help seriously ill children. The popular officer was a member of the Dublin regional roads policing unit when he lost his life. Garda Flatley died when a motorcyclist drove into him at the old Swords to Balbriggan Road, in the Lanestown area of Lusk in north county Dublin, at around 12.50pm on Sunday afternoon. The officer, who had been a member of the force for 26 years and was based at Dublin Castle, had attempted to flag down the bike when the incident occurred. The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries in the incident and is being treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. His condition is believed to have improved in the last day. Gardai are investigating the collision and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. The force said in a statement: 'Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam recordings and were in the area at the time are urged to share this material with Gardaí. 'Investigators are particularly interested in tracking the movements of a Yamaha R1 motorcycle in the area between 12 noon and the time of the collision. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Swords Garda Station at 01 666 4700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.'
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Alan Kelly accuses Garda Commissioner of 'failing' on road traffic garda numbers
Labour TD Alan Kelly has said that the failure to adequately resource garda traffic units is a 'significant failing' on the part of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. He made the comments in Leinster House following a call from Commissioner Harris for a renewed focus on road safety and policing following the death of Garda Kevin Flatley last weekend. Garda Flatley, a Roads Policing Officer based out of Dublin Castle, became the 90th officer to die on duty after he was struck on the R132 at Lissenhall near Swords while conducting a speed checkpoint on Sunday afternoon. It's understood that Garda Flatley was stuck while trying to slow down the rider of a Yamaha R1 motorbike. The motorcyclist came off the bike and was critically injured in the incident. Speaking in Leinster House, Mr Kelly said Garda Flatley's death was a 'traumatic experience for the country'. However, the Labour justice spokesman was critical of Commissioner Harris' call for a 'refocus on road policing'. He noted that Commissioner Harris had told the Oireachtas Justice Committee that 75 additional members of the traffic corps would be recruited last year, while another 75 would be recruited in 2025. Mr Kelly said that 'despite there being a huge competition and despite the fact that quite a considerable amount of gardaí and sergeants' were qualified for the role, he argued that 'very few if any' had been appointed. He said: '[Commissioner Harris] has got to really stand up for what he is saying as regards to resources that go into roads policing. 'I'm afraid he's not able to. The simple fact of the matter is that in 2009, there were 1,046 gardaí of different ranks involved in roads policing in Ireland. 'Currently, I understand, there's just in excess of 600. That's a 40% drop. 'Given where we are as a country, and given that this is such a huge issue, I think under his tenure, to have that sort of a drop, despite his commitments in the Justice Committee last year, is a significant failing and something that he should answer questions on.' Elsewhere, there was a minute's silence for Garda Flatley in the Dáil Chamber on Tuesday afternoon. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said his thoughts were will Garda Flatley's friends, family and other members of An Garda Síochána. He branded Garda Flatley an 'outstanding community person', as he said gardaí are 'pillars' within our society. Mr Martin: 'He died in the line of duty. It is a reminder to us that members of An Garda Síochána go through day after day as part of their mission to keep us all safe and prevent crime.'
