Counties Affected
Updated 28 September 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 families are grieving this week after two young lives were lost on Irish roads between 1 and 4 September 2026. Both fatalities involved children, making this a particularly sorrowful period and a stark reminder of how road incidents can affect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Incidents
4 September – Clonlara, Co. Clare (L3050)
A 16-year-old boy, named locally as Bryan Lowe, lost his life on the L3050 at Cottage Cross near Clonlara in Co. Clare. Bryan was found unresponsive at the roadside after being struck by a vehicle whose driver left the scene without stopping. Gardaí are investigating the incident as a hit-and-run. Bryan’s death is a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the wider Clonlara community.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact their local Garda station.
3 September – Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
A 12-year-old boy was fatally injured when a train struck a car at the XM160 level crossing at Kiltybo, near Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. The boy was a passenger in the vehicle. The adult male driver was taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Our sympathies go to the boy’s family and to all those affected by this tragedy.
Level crossing safety remains a critical concern on Irish roads. Drivers are reminded that level crossings must be approached with the utmost care: always obey warning signals and barriers, never attempt to cross if lights are flashing or barriers are descending, and be aware that trains can arrive quickly and quietly.
Year-to-Date Statistics
With these two fatalities, our running tally for 2026 now stands at 125 deaths on Irish roads since the beginning of the year. At the same point in 2025, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 123.
It is important to note that our 2026 figure is compiled from news reports and tends to run slightly ahead of the official RSA count, which is confirmed through a formal verification process. A direct comparison therefore has limitations. That said, the figures point to a broadly similar picture to this time last year — a difference of approximately 1–2%, which, while not cause for alarm, offers no comfort and no room for complacency. Every figure in that count represents a person, a family, and a community changed forever.
Safety Reminders
The incidents this week highlight two areas that road safety advocates consistently urge drivers to take seriously:
Hit-and-run incidents Leaving the scene of a collision is a serious criminal offence. Stopping, calling for emergency services, and remaining at the scene can be the difference between life and death for a casualty. If you witness or have information about a hit-and-run incident, please contact An Garda Síochána immediately.
Level crossing safety The RSA and Irish Rail have repeatedly highlighted the dangers of level crossings. Drivers should treat every crossing as potentially active, reduce speed on approach, and never attempt to beat barriers or warning signals. Pedestrians and cyclists are also reminded to use crossings only as intended and to remain alert.
Looking Ahead
As summer draws to a close and schools return, more children are on or near roads — walking, cycling, and travelling as passengers. This is a moment for all road users to exercise heightened care and patience. Slow down in school zones, watch for children at crossings and footpaths, and remember that a few seconds saved is never worth a life.
If you are driving, give the road your full attention. If you are a passenger and feel unsafe, speak up. And if you see something that concerns you on the road — a dangerous driver, an obstruction, a collision — do not hesitate to alert the relevant authorities.
Our thoughts remain with the families of Bryan Lowe and the young boy from Ballyhaunis, and with all those who have lost loved ones on Irish roads this year.
Report card description: Two children lost their lives on Irish roads in the first four days of September 2026 — one in a hit-and-run in Co. Clare, one at a level crossing in Co. Mayo. Our year-to-date tally stands at approximately 125 deaths, broadly in line with the same period last year.