Counties Affected
Updated 21 August 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
Six people lost their lives on Irish roads between Tuesday 1 April and Friday 4 April 2026 — a sobering start to the second quarter of the year. The fatalities spanned four counties, involved pedestrians, a cyclist, a motorcyclist, and at least one car occupant, and occurred across a range of road types and times of day, serving as a stark reminder that road danger is not confined to any single situation or user group.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who died.
Incidents: 1–4 April 2026
Dublin — O’Connell Street / Middle Abbey Street | 1 April
The period opened with the death of Johnny Santos Xavier De Abreu, a 27-year-old Brazilian cyclist, in a collision involving a truck at the junction of O’Connell Street and Middle Abbey Street in Dublin city centre. His death drew particular attention to the ongoing vulnerability of cyclists at busy urban junctions. Johnny’s name is a reminder that every statistic on these pages represents a person with a life, a story, and people who loved them.
Waterford — Tramore Road, Pickardstown | 1 April
Also on 1 April, a fatal collision occurred on the Tramore Road at Pickardstown in County Waterford. At the time of writing, Gardaí were still working to formally identify the deceased. We extend our sympathies to all those affected and ask anyone with information to contact the relevant Garda station.
Waterford — R634, Ballydasoon near Youghal | 2 April
A motorcyclist in his 60s was killed on the R634 near Youghal on 2 April following a collision with a car. Rural roads continue to feature heavily in motorcyclist fatalities, and this incident is a painful addition to that pattern. Riders and drivers alike are urged to exercise particular care on regional and local roads where overtaking opportunities, road surfaces, and sightlines can all present elevated risk.
Dublin — M50 Northbound (Junctions 7–9) | 2 April
A fatal collision on the M50 northbound between Junctions 7 and 9 resulted in road closures for several hours on 2 April. The M50 is one of Ireland’s busiest stretches of road, and incidents there affect thousands of road users daily. We ask drivers to always respect posted speed limits on motorways, maintain safe following distances, and remain patient when encountering lane closures or emergency vehicles.
Mayo — Keel, Achill Island | 3 April
In the early hours of Friday 3 April, at around 3.15am, a man in his 40s died following a collision between a car and a pedestrian on a local road in Keel on Achill Island. Late-night and early-morning collisions involving pedestrians on rural roads are a recurring and preventable tragedy. Reduced visibility, fatigue, and the absence of footpaths all compound the risks for those on foot in rural areas after dark.
Donegal — Port Road, Letterkenny | 3 April
Later on 3 April, a woman in her 40s died after being struck by a lorry at Station Roundabout on the Port Road in Letterkenny. Pedestrian safety at roundabouts — particularly those on roads with significant freight and commercial traffic — remains a critical concern. We encourage all road users to be especially attentive at junctions and roundabouts, where pedestrian and vehicle paths converge.
Year-to-Date Context
Based on our own tally compiled from news reports, approximately 41 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the Road Safety Authority recorded 51 fatalities — suggesting a reduction of roughly 20% compared to this time in 2025.
It is important to note that our current-year figure is compiled from media reports and tends to run slightly ahead of the official RSA count; last year’s figure is the confirmed official total. The two are not directly comparable in methodology, and any apparent difference should be treated as broadly indicative rather than precise. That said, any movement in the right direction is meaningful — though it offers no comfort to those who have lost loved ones this week, or at any point this year.
Safety Focus: Vulnerable Road Users
Four of the six fatalities recorded this period involved pedestrians or cyclists — a proportion that underlines the acute danger faced by those without the protection of a vehicle. The Road Safety Authority’s Be Safe, Be Seen guidance remains highly relevant:
- Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing when walking near roads, particularly at night or in poor weather. Where no footpath exists, walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
- Cyclists should ensure their bike is equipped with front and rear lights, use cycle lanes where available, and make themselves as visible as possible at junctions.
- Drivers and HGV operators should allow extra space and time when passing or turning near vulnerable road users, and exercise heightened care at urban junctions and rural roads alike.
Motorcyclists are also reminded of the benefits of advanced rider training courses, available through organisations such as the RSA and the Irish Motorcycle Owners Association (IMOA).
Looking Ahead
As spring settles in and the evenings brighten, more people will take to the roads — on foot, on bicycles, and on motorcycles — and traffic volumes will increase. The coming weeks also include the Easter bank holiday weekend, historically one of the busier periods for road travel in Ireland.
The Road Safety Authority typically increases enforcement and awareness activity over holiday periods, and An Garda Síochána will be conducting high-visibility patrols. We encourage every road user to take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others — slowing down, staying alert, and allowing extra time for journeys.
Six families are beginning April in grief. Let us carry that awareness with us every time we take to the road.
If you have been affected by road death or serious injury, Road Safety Ireland and Anam Cara offer support to bereaved families.
Report Card Description
Six people died on Irish roads between 1 and 4 April 2026, in incidents across Donegal, Dublin, Mayo, and Waterford involving pedestrians, a cyclist, a motorcyclist, and car occupants. The deaths bring this year’s running total to approximately 41, compared with 51 at the same point in 2025 — a broadly encouraging, though tentative, difference.