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
Between Monday 10 and Thursday 13 August 2026, two fatal road collisions occurred on Irish roads, claiming three lives. The incidents, in Counties Kildare and Cavan, serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life on our roads during what is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the summer calendar.
The Incidents
Monasterevin, Co. Kildare — 10 August
Marie Heavey, aged 80, lost her life following a collision involving a truck on the R414 Rathangan Road at Monasterevin. She was airlifted to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where she was sadly pronounced dead. Marie’s passing is a profound loss, and our thoughts are with her family and all who knew her.
This incident is a reminder of how vulnerable cyclists can be on rural roads, particularly on routes shared with heavy goods vehicles. Adequate road markings, reduced speeds near cycling routes, and mutual awareness between all road users are essential factors in preventing tragedies of this kind.
Drummallaght, Co. Cavan — 10 August
In a collision on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan town, Gaelic football legend James McHugh and his wife Noreen lost their lives. James was pronounced dead at the scene, while Noreen was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital, where she passed away the following day. The loss of a husband and wife in a single incident is a heartbreak of a particular and devastating kind, felt not only by their family but by the wider GAA community and all who admired James’s contribution to Gaelic football.
Our sincere sympathies go to everyone who knew and loved James and Noreen.
Year-to-Date Context
As of 13 August 2026, our count — compiled from news reports across the country — stands at 120 road deaths for the year to date. At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure was 107.
That represents an approximate increase of around 12% compared to the same period in 2025. It is important to note that our tally is drawn from media reports and has historically run slightly ahead of the official RSA count; a direct like-for-like comparison is therefore not possible. Nonetheless, the direction of travel is concerning and warrants continued attention. We will update this figure as the RSA’s own count is published.
Safety Reminders
The incidents this period highlight two areas of ongoing concern:
Cyclist safety on rural roads Cyclists, and older road users in particular, can be at heightened risk on regional roads with limited infrastructure. Road users are reminded to:
- Allow cyclists a minimum of 1.5 metres of clearance when overtaking
- Reduce speed in areas where cyclists are likely to be present
- Ensure vehicles — especially HGVs — are equipped with appropriate mirrors and sensors for detecting vulnerable road users
The RSA’s Slow Down, Share the Road guidance remains relevant year-round, but warrants special attention in summer months when cycling activity increases significantly.
National primary roads The N3 corridor has seen serious incidents over the years. On all national roads, drivers are reminded of the importance of maintaining safe following distances, avoiding fatigue on longer journeys, and never exceeding the speed limit. If you are tired, stop. No journey is worth a life.
Looking Ahead
Three families are beginning August in grief. Behind every statistic on this site is a person — a grandmother, a husband, a wife, a neighbour, a sporting hero — and a community forever changed by their absence.
As the summer continues, we ask every road user to take an extra moment before each journey. Check your speed. Check your mirrors. Give space to those around you. The roads we share belong to all of us, and the choices we make on them have consequences that can last a lifetime — or end one.
If you have information about a fatal collision not yet included in our count, please contact us through the website.
Report card description: Three people lost their lives in two separate collisions in Kildare and Cavan between 10–13 August 2026, including Gaelic football legend James McHugh and his wife Noreen. The incidents bring our year-to-date tally to approximately 120, around 12% above the same point last year.