Man released after cyclist killed

A MAN arrested on suspicion of drink driving, following a fatal accident involving a pedal cyclist, was yesterday released without charge.

Gardaí said a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The victim, Kevin Tuomey, 26, of Garrysallagh, Mountnugent, Co Cavan, was the 137th person to died on the roads this year.

The number of traffic-related fatalities during May was 37, compared to 20 for the same month last year.

Overall, however, the number of people killed this year is down significantly, from the 154 fatalities in the first five months of 2002.

Mr Tuomey sustained fatal injuries when knocked off his bicycle at Roebuck, on the Mountnugent to Oldcastle Road, shortly before 10pm on Saturday. A post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday at Cavan General Hospital.

The car driver, who was in his late 30s, was arrested at the scene and taken to Cavan Garda Station. A garda spokesman said he was later released without charge.

Gardaí in Cork City are investigating an alleged hit-and-run early yesterday, which led to a 20-year-old man being taken to hospital with head injuries.

The man claimed he was hit by a taxi which failed to stop at Cathedral Road, Gurranabraher, at around 3am.

His injuries were said not to be life-threatening. “We are appealing for anybody who may have seen this incident to contact us,” a garda spokesman said.

Gardaí, meanwhile, will continue their nationwide Operation Taisteal up to midnight tonight in an effort to halt the road carnage. They hope the weekend display of force will lead to a reduction in deaths compared to last year’s June Bank Holiday weekend, when five people lost their lives.

“More than 5,000 checkpoints will have been mounted between midnight last Thursday and midnight on Monday,” a garda spokesman said.

He said gardaí were especially concentrating on young male drivers, as statistics suggest they are most likely to be involved in serious accidents.

“We are also focusing on drink driving and speeding, which are also heavily involved in causing fatal accidents, as well as the non-wearing of seat belts,” the spokesman said.

The penalty points system was extended yesterday to cover drivers with no insurance. Driving without insurance will incur five penalty points on a driver’s licences.

Drivers who acquire 12 points in three years face an automatic road ban for six months.

The offence was added to the list after Transport Minister Mr Brennan revealed last week that around 80,000 people are thought to be driving without insurance.

Penalty points were introduced in November, but until today applied only to speeding. Next month, the scheme will be extended to target those not wearing seatbelts. About 23,000 drivers have received points.