Counties Affected
Updated 21 August 2026: this report was regenerated with corrected figures. An earlier version overstated the year-on-year change by comparing against our own incomplete record of the previous year rather than official Road Safety Authority statistics, and included some double-counted incidents. See our methodology.
Overview
Two people lost their lives on Irish roads between 28 and 31 July 2026, in incidents recorded in County Clare and County Dublin. Both fatalities occurred on Wednesday, 29 July, a sobering reminder that road danger does not pause during the summer months.
Incidents
Cratloe, County Clare — R462, 29 July
A man in his 40s died in the early morning following a single-car collision on the R462 regional road at Ballymorris, near Cratloe. The incident occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. His remains were taken to University Hospital Limerick, where a post-mortem examination was carried out. Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.
Lucan, County Dublin — R109 Strawberry Beds, 29 July
Musician Glen Hansard, aged 56 and widely celebrated as one of Ireland’s most cherished artists, died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on the R109 Lower Road at Strawberry Beds, Lucan, in the early hours of 29 July. Glen Hansard’s warmth, talent, and deep connection to Irish life touched countless people across generations. His death has been felt profoundly — not only as a road safety tragedy, but as a profound loss to Irish culture. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses and for anyone with dash-cam footage of the area to come forward.
Year to Date
Based on our own ongoing tally compiled from news reports, 111 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 91 fatalities. This represents an approximate increase of around 22% on a like-for-like basis, though it should be noted that our current figure is drawn from media reports and typically runs slightly ahead of the official RSA count. The true comparative picture will only become clear once official figures are published.
Even allowing for that methodological difference, the direction of this year’s numbers is a concern and warrants continued attention from road users, communities, and policymakers alike.
Safety Context
Both incidents this period involved single-vehicle collisions — one on a regional road in a rural area, one on a motorcycle on a riverside route well known to recreational cyclists and motorcyclists. These circumstances reflect patterns that the Road Safety Authority has consistently highlighted:
- Rural roads continue to account for a disproportionate share of road deaths in Ireland. Regional and local roads often carry higher risk due to narrower carriageways, reduced lighting, and variable surfaces.
- Motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users. The RSA has previously urged motorcyclists to ensure their protective gear is appropriate, to ride within the speed limit, and to remain especially alert to road surface conditions, particularly in early morning hours when surfaces may be damp or visibility is reduced.
If you witnessed either of the incidents described above, or have dash-cam footage, Gardaí are asking you to come forward. Information can be provided to your local Garda station.
Looking Ahead
The summer period brings more people onto Irish roads — families travelling, tourists exploring, motorcyclists and cyclists making the most of the longer evenings. It also, historically, brings risk. The loss of two lives in a single July morning is a painful illustration of that reality.
We ask every person using Irish roads in the weeks ahead to travel with care and patience. Allow extra time for your journey. If you are riding a motorcycle or cycling, wear appropriate protective equipment and stay visible. On rural roads, reduce your speed to match the conditions, not merely the limit. And if you see something that concerns you — a vulnerable road user, a hazard, an impaired driver — act on it.
Glen Hansard and the man who died in Clare both had people who loved them. Every statistic in this report represents someone’s world. Please take care of yourself and of each other.
If you have information relevant to either incident, contact An Garda Síochána at your local station or via the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Report card description: Two people died on Irish roads on 29 July 2026, in separate single-vehicle collisions in County Clare and County Dublin — including renowned Irish musician Glen Hansard. Year-to-date fatalities stand at approximately 111, running ahead of the same point last year.