Man, 25, dies as car hits wall

A 25-YEAR-OLD man lost his life shortly before 8am yesterday near Ballyduff in north Kerry when the car in which he and a 20-year-old woman were travelling hit a wall.

The woman was seriously injured and is in critical condition in Kerry General Hospital.

It is the 19th death on Kerry roads this year, the highest number since records began. Last year, 12 people died on Kerry roads.

The single-vehicle accident occurred around seven kilometres from Ballyduff on a link road between Ballincrossig Cross and Ardfert at 7.55am when the car struck what gardaí described as a boundary wall.

It is understood both people were thrown from the vehicle onto the road such was the impact. It was not clear yesterday who was driving.

Gardaí had sealed off the scene and were carrying out technical examinations.

Named locally as John Joe Shanahan, the dead man, believed to be an only son, is from nearby Ballymacquin, Abbeydorney. The woman is also from the north Kerry area.

Meanwhile, in Killenaule in Tipperary, Canon Liam Ryan said special prayers at morning Mass yesterday for two local men, Richard Maher, aged 21, and Barry Murphy, also 21, and their friend from Cashel, John Manton, who will be 21 shortly, who were injured in a single car collision.

Barry Murphy was transferred to Cork University Hospital where he is being treated for serious head injuries. Richard Maher was transferred to Cork yesterday afternoon while John Manton remained under close observation at Our Lady’s Hospital in Cashel.

The three inseparable friends were en route from Killenaule to Cashel, just 10 miles away, for a night out when their Silver Audi A3 spun out of control and the rear of the vehicle struck a wall close to the community school on the Dualla Road.

“Please God they will come out of it,” a very upset Canon Ryan said from Thurles where he was watching the county finals.

“These lads would have been here today at this very game but for this tragedy. They are big into their sport and played at minor and U-21 level.

“All the lads are from beautiful, large families and they are distraught. The whole parish is in mourning and praying for their full recovery,” said Canon Ryan.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the accident. A garda spokesperson said all three were wearing seat belts, which saved them from more serious injuries.