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 Tuesday 5 and Friday 7 August 2026, in separate collisions across Counties Cork and Donegal. Both fatalities involved motorcyclists, a sobering reminder of the particular vulnerability of powered two-wheeler riders during the busy summer period.
Incidents
Friday 7 August – N56, Termon, Co Donegal
A man in his 60s died following a collision between a motorcycle and a car on the N56 at Termon, Co Donegal. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of the car involved sustained non-serious injuries. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and for anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
Tuesday 5 August – R587, near Dunmanway, Co Cork
A man in his 50s was fatally injured in a collision involving a motorcycle and a van on the R587 near Gloun North, outside Dunmanway in west Cork. The collision occurred at approximately 2.30pm. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of both men at this deeply difficult time.
Year-to-Date Context
Based on our running tally compiled from news reports, 107 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 107. The difference between the two figures is approximately in line — though it is important to note that our count is drawn from published news reports and tends to run slightly ahead of the official RSA total. Any comparison should be treated as broadly indicative rather than a precise measurement. There is, at this stage, no meaningful change in the overall trajectory compared with the same period in 2025.
Motorcyclist Safety
Both fatalities this period involved motorcyclists, and this pattern reflects a wider concern throughout the summer months. Motorcyclists are among the most at-risk groups on Irish roads, accounting for a disproportionate share of serious and fatal collisions relative to their numbers on the road.
The Road Safety Authority consistently highlights several key safety behaviours for motorcyclists and those who share the road with them:
- Visibility: Wear high-visibility gear and ensure your motorcycle’s lights are on at all times. Being seen is one of the most effective defences a rider has.
- Protective clothing: A helmet alone is not enough. Proper protective jacket, gloves, trousers, and boots significantly reduce injury severity in a collision.
- Speed and road conditions: Rural roads, including regional roads such as the R587 and national routes like the N56, can present unexpected hazards — tight bends, uneven surfaces, and reduced sight lines.
- Other road users: Drivers are reminded to give motorcycles adequate space, check mirrors carefully before manoeuvring, and be especially attentive at junctions, where many motorcycle collisions occur.
If you are returning to motorcycling after a break, or are a newer rider, consider refresher training through an RSA-approved provider before heading out on longer or unfamiliar routes.
Looking Ahead
As the summer holiday period continues, traffic volumes on rural and regional roads remain elevated. Whether you are a motorcyclist heading out to enjoy the roads, a driver sharing space with them, or a cyclist or pedestrian — every journey carries responsibility.
Please allow extra time, adjust your speed to the conditions, and stay focused behind the wheel or on the handlebars. The roads that make Ireland beautiful in summer also demand care and patience.
Two families are grieving this week. That number does not have to rise. Safe travels to everyone on Irish roads in the days ahead.
Incident information is compiled from published news reports and Garda appeals. If you have information relevant to either collision, contact the local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Report card description: Two motorcyclists lost their lives in separate collisions in Cork and Donegal between 5 and 7 August 2026, as the year-to-date toll remains broadly in line with the same point in 2025.