There was a tragic start to the New Year on Mayo’s roads with the death of two men early on New Year’s morning following a head on collision on the Ballina to Foxford road at Ballynahaglish. The two men have been named as 43-year-old Terence Beagan with an address at Proleek, Ravensdale, Louth, and 47-year-old Gearoid O’Scolai from Childers Heights, Ballina, Co Mayo. Both men were travelling alone when the incident happened shortly before 5am on Wednesday. Both men were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel who happened to be on the road at the time of the accident. The scene was also attended by ambulance personnel who used cutting equipment to free the two men from their vehicles, however despite their efforts both men were pronounced dead at the scene and their remains were transferred to Mayo General Hospital for post-mortem examination.
O’Scolai was a taxi driver whom it is believed was driving back to Ballina after dropping off a fare, while Beagan had been staying at a hotel in the vicinity at the time of the crash. Mr O’Scolai was originally from Dublin and had been living in Ballina for more than a decade and was well known in the town, where he was a keen fisherman and Irish language and culture enthusiast, while Mr Began was a director at a recording studio, based in Dublin. The scene of the accident on the busy N26 between Swinford and Ballina was closed off for most of New Year’s Day as gardai carried out a forensic investigation. Investigating gardai are appealing for any witnesses to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
