'Everybody is numb' says local councillor after Ballinasloe crash claims four lives
A Ballinasloe councillor said the area is in shock today following the horrific three-car crash on the M6 motorway last night which claimed four lives, with a fifth person in hospital.
"Everybody is numb with the news," said Cllr Dermot Connolly, chair of the Ballinasloe Municipal District.
"It's a terrible tragedy to happen on your doorstep, and for all of the families concerned it's absolutely shocking. Their worst nightmare.
"It is just so sad, and so tragic," he commented.
The collision happened on the M6 at Poolboy, Ballinasloe around 7.40pm yesterday (Thursday), according to Gardaí, and it's believed to have involved a vehicle which was travelling in the wrong direction on the motorway.
Four persons were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were removed to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, for post-mortem examinations to be conducted at a later date. Another person in the collision was taken to hospital for treatment.
No details have been released in relation to the victims of this tragedy, but there are reports locally which suggest that one of the deceased may have been a young child.
The M6 is closed in both directions between Junction 14 and 15, with local diversions in place, as forensic collision investigators examine the scene.
Local TD Denis Naughten said his "thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those killed and injured in this terrible incident in Ballinasloe."
Senator Aisling Dolan described the tragedy as "shocking" and said her thoughts were with the families that had lost loved ones and with the local firefighters, Gardaí, ambulance, and air ambulance which attended the scene.
In addition to the four people killed in the Ballinasloe incident, two others also lost their lives on Irish roads within the last 24 hours, prompting the Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to issue an urgent appeal to all road users to take greater care.
"Not only has it been a horrific 24 hours on the roads, we are also seeing an increase in road deaths this year compared to the same period last year," said Paula Hilman, Assistant Commissioner, Roads Policing and Community Engagement.
"It's been a dark 24 hours on Irish roads which has seen an appalling loss of life," said Sam Waide, CEO of the Road Safety Authority, "and our thoughts are with the families of those who have been killed.
"These deaths should serve to remind us that everyone is at risk when using the roads. We are at risk at any time of the day or week. Life is fragile and using the roads is one of the most dangerous things we do each day, and we must never forget this.
"I would appeal to road users to slow down, drive at the right speed for the conditions, and watch out for vulnerable road users.
"Don't drive when impaired through drink, drugs or fatigue and always wear a seatbelt and ensure passengers are wearing theirs too, no matter how short the trip. This advice is all the more important given the fact that Met Éireann has issued weather warnings for heavy rainfall and possible localised flooding for today and this weekend," he said.
A total of 92 people have died in fatal road traffic crashes to date in 2021.
Anyone with any information in connection with last night's tragedy is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090 9631890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.