One death is too many, a Garda spokesperson confirmed this week as Kilkenny registered its first road traffic fatality in over seven months.
A 67-year-old man died after he was struck by a car while walking at Julianstown, Castlecomer, last Friday, April 2, at 10.30pm. He has been named locally as Edward King.
He was removed by ambulance to St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The scene of the collision was temporarily sealed off for a forensic technical examination.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information can contact Castlecomer Gardaí on 056 4440650, the Garda confidential line on 1800666111 or any Garda station.
It was the first traffic fatality recorded on the county’s roads in 2010 and the first since August 31, 2009, as Kilkenny mirrored the national trend which has seen a marked decrease in fatal accidents recently.
The accident took place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend despite increased Garda checkpoints, a solemn reminder that road safety remains a key issue.
Meanwhile gardaí in Kilkenny are investigating a serious accident which took place on the Bennetsbridge Road near Dukesmeadows in the city over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Three young men were trapped in a car after a single vehicle collision. Ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene to help remove the injured from the vehicle and two of the men were removed to hospital for treatment.
The accident took place on Saturday, April 3, at around 3.45am and gardaí temporarily closed the route between Nuncio Road and Woodbine Avenue.
While Kilkenny can boast a commendable road safety record so far this year, local gardaí are continuing to ask all drivers to be careful on the roads to avoid further injuries and fatalities.
The Kilkenny fatality was one of four deaths on Irish roads over the Easter weekend, an unfortunate statistic given gardaí had just named March the safest month on the country’s roads since records began.
Last year saw the lowest number of deaths on Irish roads on record with 239 fatalities compared to 279 in 2008, and figures are down again so far for this year. There were four fatalities on Kilkenny roads in 2008.
The country’s improved road safety record has been linked to better roads, driver education, and a change of attitude in young people.
