Two killed in weekend crashes bring year's death toll to 74

TWO PEOPLE were killed in crashes in Wexford and Tallaght, west Dublin, at the weekend.

Two women were injured, one fatally, in a two-car collision at the Embankment, Blessington Road, Tallaght, shortly after midnight on Saturday morning. The woman who died was said to be aged 24 and the other, who was taken to Tallaght Hospital, is 20. The road was closed on Saturday pending a forensic examination. Witnesses were asked to contact Tallaght gardaí on (01) 666 6000.

Just before 1pm yesterday, a motorcyclist in his late 30s was killed when his bike was in collision with a van on the N25 between New Ross and Ballinaboola in Co Wexford. He was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The van driver and his two passengers were uninjured. The road was closed in the afternoon for a forensic investigation and diversions were in place.

The Garda has appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact New Ross Garda station on (051) 426030 or through the confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111.

The latest road deaths bring to 74 the number of people killed on State roads this year. The total on Friday morning was 72, compared with 93 for the same period last year. The total is made up of 38 drivers, 23 pedestrians and 13 non-motorbike vehicle passengers.

Statistics for 2010 show fewer deaths on the roads almost every month this year when compared with last year.

The only exception was April, when the number who died last month was the same as that in 2009.

Meanwhile, local councils yesterday morning treated a 60km oil spill on the M25/N25. The spill stretched from the new Waterford City Bridge to New Ross and into Wexford town.

AA Roadwatch said the road had been treated by 10.30am.