Gardaí: Roads 'not as safe as they should have been' over St Patrick's weekend

Figures released by the Gardaí today show that many motorists did not heed the road safety message over the St Patrick's weekend.

A five-year-old child was killed in Co Laois in an accident while seven others were seriously injured in separate road incidents.

Fifty-one people were caught not wearing a seat belt while 53 people were arrested on St Patrick’s Day on suspicion of drink driving.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey said: "Unfortunately the roads were not as safe as they should have been over the weekend. While most people heeded the safety message that was sent out in advance, many did not.

"We should never say or think 'it won’t happen to me'. The sad reality is that it does. Crashes or collisions happen in milliseconds and we again ask that all road users listen to the numerous road safety messages that An Garda Síochána issue. They are in your interest and that of your family, friends and colleagues."