Male motorcyclist dies in collision in Co Galway

A male motorcyclist in his fifties has died following a collision with a car in Co Galway on Wednesday night.

The crash occurred on the N17 at Polkeen, Castlegar at around 9.45pm when the 52-year-old motorcyclist was in a collision with a car.

He was taken to University Hospital Galway where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the car was uninjured.

The section of the N17 where the crash took place is closed to traffic to allow for a forensic investigation of the scene.

Witnesses are asked to contact Galway Garda station on (091) 538 000, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

The death is the 19th so far this month, making December one of the most dangerous months on Irish roads this year.

Only July had more road deaths, when 20 people died in traffic collisions.

This month is also set to be among Decembers with the highest number of fatalities in the last few years.

December 2014 and December 2013 both had 17 road deaths, according to Road Safety Authority data, while the figure was 12 for 2012 and 10 each for 2011 and 2010.

So far this year 164 people have died in collisions on Irish roads, 29 less than in 2014.