Mother-of-four dies in early morning car crash

THE death of a mother-of-four in a single vehicle accident early yesterday brought to 161 the death toll, so far, on Irish roads this year.

Armagh-born Jane Smith, aged 37, who lived in County Louth, was married to a garda based in the county. Her death has stunned the local communities of Dromisken and Slane where Mrs Smith leaves a young family.

Local reports said the victim, who died at the scene close to her Dromisken home, was a part-time nurse and may have been coming off-duty.

The garda press office said the accident was reported at 5.30am yesterday. Preliminary investigations showed the vehicle crashed into a ditch. Gardaí believe there were no other vehicles involved.

Meanwhile, the naked body of a man in his 20s was recovered from the rocks below the Cliffs of Moher on Saturday.

The body was spotted early last week but poor weather conditions hampered several attempts to recover the body.

Gardaí said last night they are still trying to establish the man's identity.

The body was removed to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday where a post mortem was conducted.

Preliminary reports said the man died from injuries consistent with a fall from a height.

Gardaí in County Clare said there had been no reports of a body falling from the cliffs or of any missing person in the area.

Gardaí said that since no vehicle was left abandoned at the scene, it was assumed the victim may have been given a lift in a car or tour bus to the noted landmark.

The body was spotted last week lying 600 feet below the cliff top. A green and white v-neck jumper and a blue shirt were found near the naked body.

Gardaí in County Tipperary, meanwhile, are continuing to seek public assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 91-year-old Joe Walsh, of Lisronagh, Clonmel.

He is missing from his home since Friday. He was last seen in the Scotch Cross area of Moanroe, Clonmel, at about 9.10pm on Friday.

The elderly man is of medium height and build, wearing glasses and walking with a slight stoop. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the gardaí at Clonmel, 052 77640.