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 29 July and 1 August 2026, adding to what has been a difficult year for road safety. Both fatalities occurred on 29 July — one in County Clare and one in County Dublin — and both involved single-vehicle collisions on regional roads.
Incidents
Clare — R462, Ballymorris, near Cratloe (29 July 2026)
A man in his 40s died following a single-car collision on the R462 regional road in Ballymorris, near Cratloe, 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 loved ones.
Dublin — R109, Strawberry Beds, Lucan (29 July 2026)
The music world and Irish society more broadly were shocked by the death of Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish musician, who died following a single-vehicle motorcycle collision on the R109 Lower Road at the Strawberry Beds in Lucan in the early hours of 29 July. He was 56. Glen was a beloved figure not only in Ireland but internationally, and his loss is deeply felt. Gardaí are continuing their investigation and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage of the area to come forward and contact their local Garda station.
Year to Date
Based on our own tally compiled from news reports, 111 people have now died on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 107. That represents an approximate increase of around 4% compared to this time in 2025.
It is important to note that our running total is compiled from published news reports and tends to run slightly ahead of the official RSA count, which is compiled separately. Direct comparisons should be treated as indicative rather than precise. Nonetheless, the broad picture is one of a modest but unwelcome rise, and one that reinforces the importance of continued vigilance on our roads.
Safety Context
Both fatalities this period occurred on regional roads — the R462 in Clare and the R109 in Dublin. Regional and rural roads consistently account for a significant proportion of serious collisions in Ireland, and the R109 Strawberry Beds stretch, while scenic, is a road that demands careful attention from all road users, particularly motorcyclists and cyclists.
The RSA continues to emphasise key behaviours that save lives:
- Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. High-visibility gear, appropriate helmets, and speeds suited to road conditions are essential on every journey, regardless of experience level.
- Early morning journeys carry particular risks — reduced visibility, fatigue, and variable road surfaces all play a role in collision statistics.
- Rural and regional roads often lack the safety infrastructure of motorways and national primary routes. Extra care is warranted, particularly on unfamiliar routes.
If you witnessed either of the collisions described above or have relevant dash-cam footage, please contact An Garda Síochána.
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks mark some of the busiest on Irish roads, as summer holidays continue and bank holiday weekends bring increased traffic volumes. Every journey carries responsibility — to ourselves, to passengers, and to every other person sharing the road.
The deaths of these two men serve as a painful reminder that road collisions do not discriminate by age, experience, or circumstance. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and communities of all those lost this period, and we ask every road user to carry that awareness with them on every journey.
If you have information about either collision, please 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 between 29 July and 1 August 2026, including musician Glen Hansard, in separate single-vehicle collisions in Clare and Dublin. Ireland’s road death toll for the year stands at approximately 111, a modest rise of around 4% on the same point in 2025.