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
Two people lost their lives on Irish roads between 29 July and 1 August 2026, bringing a difficult week to a close for the families and communities affected. Both incidents occurred on 29 July and involved single-vehicle collisions — a reminder that road risk does not always arise from the actions of multiple road users.
Incidents
Cratloe, County Clare — R462 (29 July 2026)
A man in his 40s died following a single-car collision on the R462 regional road at Ballymorris, near Cratloe, in the early morning hours. His remains were removed to University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem examination has taken place. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Strawberry Beds, Lucan, Dublin — R109 (29 July 2026)
Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish musician and much-loved public figure, died following a single-vehicle motorcycle collision on the R109 Lower Road at Strawberry Beds, Lucan, in the early hours of 29 July. He was 56 years old. Glen was celebrated across Ireland and internationally for his art, his warmth, and his deep connection to the people around him. His death has been felt widely and profoundly. An Garda Síochána has appealed for any witnesses, or anyone with relevant dash-cam footage, to come forward.
Year-to-Date Context
As of 1 August 2026, our tally — compiled from news reports — stands at 103 road fatalities for the year to date. At the same point in 2025, the official Road Safety Authority figure was 107. This represents an approximate difference of around 4%, though direct comparison should be treated with some caution: our running count is drawn from media reports and tends to run slightly above the final official figure, while last year’s comparator is a verified RSA total. The overall picture suggests deaths are running at a broadly similar level to last year, with a modest and tentatively encouraging reduction — but each figure in that count represents a life lost, and no statistical framing should obscure that.
Safety Advice
Both fatalities this period involved single-vehicle incidents, on regional roads, in the early morning hours. These circumstances reflect patterns that road safety research identifies consistently: lower-traffic periods can encourage higher speeds or reduced vigilance; regional and rural roads frequently have features — narrow carriageways, bends, unlit stretches — that demand particular care; and motorcyclists, as vulnerable road users, face a disproportionate level of risk at all times.
If you are riding or driving a motorcycle:
- Wear appropriate, high-visibility protective clothing on every journey, regardless of distance.
- Adjust your speed for road conditions, particularly on regional and rural routes where road surfaces and widths can change without warning.
- Be especially cautious in low-light and early morning conditions, when fatigue and reduced visibility are significant factors.
- Ensure your licence, insurance, and vehicle roadworthiness are all in order before setting out.
The RSA’s Be Safe, Be Seen guidance for motorcyclists and the broader Slow Down campaign remain relevant to the conditions seen in both incidents this week.
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks bring continued summer traffic volumes, with many families and individuals making longer journeys. We ask every road user — drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike — to take a moment before setting out: check your speed, check your surroundings, and give yourself and others the time and space to arrive safely.
If you witnessed either of the incidents reported this week, or have dash-cam footage that may assist Garda investigations, please contact An Garda Síochána.
Our sincere condolences go to the families and friends of all those lost on Irish roads this period.
Report card description: Two lives were lost on Irish roads on 29 July 2026, including that of musician Glen Hansard, in separate single-vehicle collisions in Clare and Dublin. Year-to-date fatalities stand at approximately 103, modestly below the same point last year.