Family of Cork man killed in road collision left 'heartbroken'  

Gerard O’Brien, from Freemount, North Cork, was fatally injured when his motorcycle and a car collided on the R634 at Ballydasoon near Youghal shortly before 2pm on Saturday.

The family of a Cork man killed in a road collision on the Cork-Waterford border has said his death has left them heartbroken.

Gerard O’Brien, from Freemount, North Cork, was fatally injured when his motorcycle and a car collided on the R634 at Ballydasoon near Youghal shortly before 2pm on Saturday.

The 62-year-old’s death came less than 24 hours after Kieran McArdle, from Ballypatrick, Clonmel, was killed on Friday night on the N76 at Kilcash Cross at 9.50pm in a collision between a ride-on lawn mower and a car.

Mr O’Brien was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Saturday, and his body was removed to the mortuary at Waterford University Hospital for an autopsy. The driver of the car was assessed in Cork University Hospital.

The scene was sealed off for several hours while a forensic collision investigation was carried out. Both vehicles were also being examined.

His niece, Sharon Mackessy, said: “We’re heartbroken at the loss of Gerard. He was a loving husband to his wife Moira, a beloved brother and uncle with a wide circle of friends. We will miss him dearly.” 

'Freak incident'

Meanwhile, the community of Clonmel was shocked by the death of Kieran McArdle in Friday night’s incident.

It is understood that Mr McArdle had borrowed the ride-on lawn mower to cut the grass in a communal area at Kilcash Cross — just 2km from where he lived.

In a cruel twist of fate, the driver of the car also involved in the fatal collision is a 20-year-old man who lives close to the deceased man.

Paying tribute to Mr McArdle, Carrick-on-Suir Labour councillor Michael Brennan said: “The man comes from a lovely family and the entire community in the area is devastated over what has happened." 

Everyone’s thoughts, of course, are with everyone affected by the freak incident

Fine Gael councillor and the cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, Mark Fitzgerald, added: “This is a very tragic accident for the family of the man who died and for the driver of the car involved.

“My sympathies go absolutely to all the families and friends of the two men. Our prayers are with them all.”

Mr McArdle’s body was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Waterford where am autopsy will take place in due course. There were no other injuries reported at the time of the accident.

David Dunne, the leas cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, added: “I would like to offer my sympathies to those involved in this tragic event."

My thoughts and prayers are with them all

The road, which was closed for several hours to allow for a technical examination by garda forensic collision investigators, has since reopened.

Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area on the N76 between 9.30pm and 10.30pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station on [phone], the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Gardaí investigating the Youghal crash are appealing to anyone with information to contact Midleton Garda Station at 021-4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.