Cork’s road death toll hits fourteen for 2025 after another week of tragedy

Fourteen people have lost their lives in road traffic incidents across Cork so far this year, with the county on track to be one of the most dangerous for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike should trends continue. Last year, Cork was the second deadliest county in terms of road deaths, equalled by Mayo and exceeded only by Dublin, which has more than twice our population. Nineteen people were killed on our roads last year.[1]

This last week has been a particularly tragic one, with four people losing their lives in separate incidents across the county. On Thursday, a man died[2] after being struck by a dumper truck in Ballycotton, just hours before a young woman was killed[3] in a collision involving a truck in Cork city. The victims were later named as Stuart Daly, a father of one from Clare and Manani Oskau, a 26-year-old Japanese citizen who had only moved to Ireland earlier this year.

We saw further tragedy unfold at the weekend when a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle on the M8 near Mitchelstown, and on Monday, Gardai also confirmed a man in his 60s had died as a result of a single vehicle collision in West Cork.[4][5] These latest incidents bring the total number of road fatalities in Cork to fourteen, and if trends continue, Cork will remain one of Ireland's deadliest counties in terms of road deaths. Most of these deaths occurred within the last five months, with eleven fatalities recorded between now and May.

In comparison, only three fatal incidents occurred over the summer of 2024, according to RSA statistics. It's been a particularly difficult week for families across Cork, and we'd like to take a moment to remember those who lost their lives on our roads this year. January 14: A man in his 50s was killed in a single-vehicle crash along the N71 near Clonakilty.

The driver was later named as Marco da Costa, a well-liked bartender who worked at the Courtyard Bar. Friends and former patrons paid tribute to Marco in the days after his passing, describing him as a 'true gentleman'. March 30: Two women, aged 64 and 41, were killed in a crash along the N72 near Mallow.

They were later named locally as Mary Coughlan of Mitchelstown and Susan O'Sullivan from Mallow. Susan has been remembered as a dedicated mother and a pillar of her community, having been involved in various local charity efforts. Friends and family paid tribute to Mary in the days following the tragic crash, with one person describing her as a 'wonderful person and a great friend'.

May 4: Thirteen-year-old Lauren O'Brien of Knockane, Terelton, was killed in a crash at an auto grass racing event in Enniskeane, with tributes pouring in from across the county in the days that followed. June 4: A man aged in his sixties was killed in a crash involving a bicycle and a van on the N25 near Carrigtwohill. He was later named locally as Midleton man Donal Cashman, a well-respected member of the Midleton Cycling and Triathlon Club known for being a wonderful ambassador for the sport.

June 21: A motorcyclist, aged in his early 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash near Milford in North Cork. He was later named locally as Patrick Joseph Crotty Jr. June 23: A woman in her 60s died after a parked car 'moved unexpectedly' and rolled over her on Popham's Road in Farranree, Cork city.

July 21: A young man was killed in a collision involving a car and a truck along the N71 between Ballinhassig and Innishannon. The driver was later named as 19-year-old Dovydas Palkis from Skibbereen. The family later thanked their local community and the public for the 'unwavering support' they showed following his passing.

August 20: Billy O'Grady, aged in his 20s, died following a single-vehicle crash on the M8 near Glanmire. Shanballymore GAA[6] club led the tributes to the young man, who was described as a "great character." August 25: A woman in her early 60s was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash along the M8 in the Dunkettle Ballinglanna area of Glanmire.

She was later named locally as Veronica Hoen, a woman well respected for her educational work with the Irish Prison Service. September 18: Father of two, Stuart Daly, was killed in an incident involving a heavy goods vehicle in Ballycotton on Thursday afternoon and was laid to rest over the weekend in his native Clare. September 18: Manani Oskau, a 26-year-old Japanese citizen, was killed in a crash involving a truck and a bike in Cork city centre.

September 20: A pedestrian aged in his 40s died after being struck by a car on the M8 motorway near Mitchelstown September 22: A man in his 60s was pronounced dead following a single-vehicle crash between the towns of Leap and Drinagh in West Cork. Today, he was named locally as Bernard Collins, a father-of-four from Castlehaven who has been remembered as a kind and friendly family man.

Last month, CorkBeo spoke with Cllr Oliver Moran, who said some tough questions need to be asked[7] in the face of such grim figures. He told CorkBeo: "There's no other part of life where this level of death and serious injury would be taken as acceptable. We have to question why we think it's acceptable for motoring.

The Green Party representative highlighted how parents aren't allowing their children to walk to primary or secondary school because of how dangerous our roads are. He continued: "There are basic things we can do. Like reducing speed limits in urban areas.

Something that has little to no meaningful impact on motorists' journey times, but makes the roads many times safer for everyone. "But for some reason, politicians have a mental block on it; the government has done a U-turn on it. Our basic priorities are all askew when it comes to this."

New bylaws were passed late last year to reduce speed limits on many rural roads, and these measures came into effect in February of this year.

Further changes are in the works for speed limits in urban areas and on national secondary roads.

References

1. ^ killed on our roads last year. (www.corkbeo.ie)
2. ^ a man died (www.corkbeo.ie)
3. ^ a young woman was killed (www.corkbeo.ie)
4. ^ a pedestrian died (www.corkbeo.ie)
5. ^ a single vehicle collision in West Cork. (www.corkbeo.ie)
6. ^ GAA (www.corkbeo.ie)
7. ^ some tough questions need to be asked (www.corkbeo.ie)