N80 reopened following death of Tipperary woman (30s) in Carlow crash – ‘We’re not surprised there has been another accident here’

The crash, involving a van and a car, occurred on the N80 at Ballintrane in Co Carlow at approximately 5.50pm on Monday evening, July 15.

The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 30s from Tipperary, was treated by emergency services at the scene but passed away from her injuries.

The two male occupants in the van, both from Wexford, were airlifted from the scene to hospital where they are currently receiving treatment for serious injuries.

The driver of the van was rushed to the Mater Hospital by air ambulance where he is said to be in stable condition following an operation.

Meanwhile, the front seat passenger of the van was removed to Tallaght Hospital by air ambulance where he is also said to be in stable condition post-operation.

The N80 was closed until 1.30am this morning to allow Garda Roads Policing Experts to attend the scene. Both vehicles involved in the crash have since been removed from the scene for further technical examination.

Carlow Superintendent Anthony Farrell is urging any witnesses to the collision to come forward to Gardaí.

“The N80 is the main vehicular artery between the M9 Motorway and Rosslare Port. We are focusing on people who may have been using this part of roadway around the time of the collision between 6.15pm and 7pm.

“You may have been travelling towards Carlow or Ballon at the time. You might have noticed either vehicle, a White Audi A4 or indeed the White Mercedes Vito Van. You might have dashcam footage, you might have seen either vehicle pass.

“Indeed if have any information to support the Garda investigation, please contact Tullow Garda Station on 059 915 1222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Superintendent Farrell also asked people not to share images of the crash online.

“Gardaí are also aware of a number of images being posted on social media platforms post-collision. This is not helpful to the Garda investigation, but more importantly to the family, friends and community who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

“I would ask people who have posted those images to take them down immediately.”

Carlow county councillor Ben Ward lives just two minutes away from where the crash occurred. He said the local community are devastated to see another life lost on the N80 in Carlow.

“Everyone in the area is shocked and saddened to hear the news, but also I suppose in a way they are not surprised that there has been another accident on that same stretch of road. It’s not the bad spot at Shirley’s Bend, but it is a little bit up from that. It does feel like that stretch of road is increasing the amount of accidents that are happening on the N80. Every time there is an accident in Carlow, it just feels like it is always that same stretch of road. It is unnecessary. “

Cllr Ward added that in order to reduce deaths on the N80, a combination of measures must be implemented as soon as possible to make the road a safer place for motorists.

“These accidents are emphasising the point that we need to reduce the speed limits, slow people down, put in speed cameras and speed calming measures and ultimately get the road straightened out at that bend. We need to make the road safer for people.

“We need to use every lever that we can to make the roads safer. Reducing the speed limits is just one thing. Is everyone going to adhere to that straightaway? No they won’t. But I always come back to the example of the smoking ban. I think that’s a brilliant example of how people resisted the change at first, but over time, like hopefully we will see with the speed limits, it will change people’s behaviour,” said Cllr Ward.