Canadian tourist killed in Clare collision among four women who died on the roads over the weekend

The woman who died after a collision with a tractor in Co Clare is understood to have travelled to Ireland as part of a cycling group. Picture: Dan Linehan

A Canadian tourist was among the four women who lost their lives in road collisions across the country over the weekend.

The woman, who was in her 70s, had been cycling with a group when she was in a collision with a tractor at Toonagh, Tulla, on Saturday afternoon.

She has not yet been named but is understood to have travelled to Ireland as part of a cycling group touring Clare.

Cllr Mary Howard, a Fine Gael councillor with Clare County Council, said her death was the first road fatality in Clare this year.

“We send our condolences to her family in Canada and to her colleagues who were with her on their vacation," she said. 

"It is a horrendous way for a holiday to turn out.” 

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene following report of the collision, involving a tractor and a bicycle, which occurred on the L3180 at about 12.45pm on Saturday.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was removed for an autopsy at University Hospital Limerick.

Investigations are also continuing into the death of a woman in her 20s in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. 

The woman, who has also not yet been named, died after she was also hit by a car, on the R702 in Curraghgraigue, Enniscorthy, at about 3pm on Saturday.

She was removed to Wexford General Hospital, where she later died.

The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, received a medical assessment at the scene.

Meanwhile, the woman who died after being hit by a car on Saturday evening in Ashbourne, Co Meath, has been named locally. She was Theresa Morgan. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

In Donegal, the community of Lifford is in mourning for 82-year-old Bernie Cranley. 

Ms Cranley was the driver of a silver Toyota Vitz that was involved in a collision with a blue Suzuki Vitara over the weekend. 

The incident took place on the Mellon Road between Omagh and Newtownstewart near the Ulster American Folk Park at about 12.30pm on Saturday.

The other driver, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment for serious injuries.

PSNI inspector Cherith Adair, from the collision investigation unit, said: “Our inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances of the collision, and we would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist us.” 

There have been 65 fatalities in 62 collisions on Irish roads so far this year. The number has fallen from 63 fatalities in 68 collisions in the same period last year.