NRA to examine safety of bypass after fatal collision
As two families prepare to bury their loved ones following the crash, the NRA confirmed yesterday they would be carrying out a safety review with the Gardaí.
However, a spokesman stressed the design elements of the road — which only opened in June of last year — “comply with all safety standards”, and that safety officials would examine the locations of all fatal crashes on national roads.
He was responding to local claims that climbing lanes converge at the brow of a hill — just 30 yards (0.027km) from the crash which killed William O’Donoghue, 44, from the Mitchelstown area, and Michael Hallinan, 46, from Balla in Co Limerick.
Signage and warnings on the road may be augmented if it’s thought they could be used to improve safety.
Funeral arrangements have been made for the men.
Mr O’Donoghue, a well-known businessman and employer from outside Mitchelstown, leaves behind a wife and three children as a result of the head-on collision on the ring road that instantly killed him and Michael Hallinan, the father of two sons, Joseph, and Michael, and one daughter, Mary, from Ashford, Ballough, in Co Limerick. Mr Hallinan had been living in Cork city for some time.
Meanwhile, the two friends and workmates killed in another road crash on Monday, between Newmarket and Kanturk, will be buried today in Newmarket, Co Cork.
Removal ceremonies for the remains of the two men — father-of-four James McAuliffe, 39, and carpenter Gerard O’Keeffe, 25, took place last night, with huge crowds thronging St Mary’s Church for both services, with Gerard O’Keeffe brought to the church first.
Among the mourners were his parents, Michael and Anne, and his sister Marguerite, who had just returned home from a year in Australia. His girlfriend, Agnes Kenny, 22, was injured in Monday morning’s accident and had to be treated in hospital.
Mr McAuliffe’s remains were brought to the church at 8.30pm, accompanied by his heartbroken widow Kathleen and their children John, 19, Maggie, 17, Con, 12, and Jim, 8, as well as his mother Peggie.
Flowers and messages of sorrow marked the spot yesterday where they lost their lives. One wreath left by Mr McAuliffe’s wife and children was marked with kisses, while another was left by his mother, brother and sisters as well as his sister-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Meanwhile, prayers were said yesterday at the Loreto Secondary School in Fermoy in memory of Mr O’Donoghue. His remains will be removed to the local church tonight.
Mr Hallinan’s remains will be brought from Sexton’s Funeral Home to Ashford Church tonight and burial at Killeady Cemetery will take place after funeral Mass tomorrow morning.
