Counties Affected
Updated 28 September 2026: this report was regenerated with corrected figures. An earlier version overstated the year-on-year change by comparing against our own incomplete record of the previous year rather than official Road Safety Authority statistics, and included some double-counted incidents. See our methodology.
Overview
Three people lost their lives on Irish roads over a four-day period from 13 to 16 July 2026, in two separate collisions across Counties Louth and Tipperary. Both incidents occurred on Thursday, 16 July, casting a shadow over what should have been an ordinary summer evening for those involved and their families.
The Incidents
Tipperary – R505, Dundrum
A man in his 50s was fatally injured in a single-vehicle collision on the R505 near Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, on Thursday evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 5:50pm. Gardaí are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Louth – R173, The Bush
In a separate and devastating collision in north Co. Louth, a couple from Greenore — Robert and Kathleen Marks, both in their 70s — were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the R173 at The Bush. Both were pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 3:10pm on Thursday, 16 July. The loss of two people from the same family in a single moment is a tragedy felt deeply by everyone who knew them, and by their wider community.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of all three victims.
Road Safety Context: 2026 Year to Date
Based on our running tally compiled from news reports, 94 people have now died on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the Road Safety Authority recorded 91 deaths — suggesting the figure this year is running approximately 3% higher than the equivalent period in 2025.
It is important to note that our count is drawn from published news reports and tends to run slightly ahead of official RSA figures, so direct comparison should be treated with some caution. Nonetheless, the overall picture is one of a road toll that remains stubbornly high, and one that shows little sign of meaningful improvement. Even a modest rise in deaths represents real people, real families, and real communities left to grieve.
Safety Reminders
Rural roads such as the R505 and R173 present particular challenges — often narrower, with varying surface conditions, tighter bends, and less margin for error than primary routes. The Road Safety Authority continues to urge drivers to:
- Reduce speed, particularly on regional and local roads where hazards can appear suddenly
- Never drive impaired — fatigue, alcohol, and medication all significantly increase risk
- Stay focused — even a momentary lapse in attention can have catastrophic consequences
- Allow extra time on summer journeys, when roads are busier and complacency can creep in
If you are travelling on unfamiliar rural roads, reduce your speed and expect the unexpected.
Looking Ahead
As summer driving continues, this week’s events are a sobering reminder that every journey carries responsibility — not just for your own safety, but for everyone sharing the road. Robert and Kathleen Marks, and the man who died near Dundrum, did not return home on Thursday. Behind every statistic is a name, a face, and a family whose world has changed irreversibly.
If you see something dangerous on the road — a hazard, an impaired driver, an unsafe situation — report it. And before you set off, take a moment. Is the car roadworthy? Are you rested? Are you rushing? Small decisions matter enormously.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
Report Card Description
Three people were killed on Irish roads between 13 and 16 July 2026, in two separate collisions in counties Louth and Tipperary. The year-to-date toll now stands at approximately 94 deaths, running slightly ahead of the equivalent figure recorded at this point in 2025.