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
Two people lost their lives on Irish roads between Wednesday 10 and Friday 13 June 2026, bringing another difficult week to a close for road safety in Ireland. The fatalities occurred in counties Louth and Tipperary, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died.
Incidents
Wednesday, 10 June – N2, Edmondstown, Ardee, Co. Louth
A man in his 80s died following a collision between his car and a truck on the N2 near Ardee, shortly before 6pm. The N2 is a busy national primary route, and collisions of this type serve as a sobering reminder of the risks present on roads that carry a mix of private vehicles and heavy goods traffic, particularly during evening hours.
Thursday, 11 June – Ballynagrana, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
A motorcyclist in his 30s was fatally injured in a collision with a car on a local road near Carrick-on-Suir, at approximately 4.45pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users, and incidents like this are a painful reminder of how quickly circumstances can change on quieter rural roads.
Year-to-Date Context
Based on our own tally compiled from news reports, 79 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far in 2026. At the same point last year, the official Road Safety Authority figure stood at 77.
It is important to note that our running total is drawn from published news reports and tends to run slightly ahead of the official RSA count, so direct comparisons should be treated with caution. That said, the figures suggest deaths on Irish roads this year are running at a broadly similar level to the same period in 2025 — the approximate difference of around 2–3% does not represent a dramatic shift in either direction, but it offers no cause for complacency either. Every figure in that count represents a life lost and a family changed forever.
Safety Focus: Vulnerable Road Users and National Routes
The two incidents this week reflect patterns that road safety advocates have long highlighted. Motorcyclists continue to be disproportionately represented in road fatality statistics relative to their numbers on the road. Factors such as reduced visibility to other drivers, higher exposure to road surface conditions, and the absence of a protective shell all increase risk significantly.
Collisions on national routes involving trucks and cars are also a recurring concern. The RSA’s ongoing Look Out for Each Other campaign encourages all road users — drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists alike — to be mindful of those sharing the road with them, and to adjust behaviour accordingly, particularly in the late afternoon and evening when fatigue and changing light conditions can affect judgement and reaction times.
If you ride a motorcycle, ensure your protective gear is appropriate and visible. If you drive, give motorcyclists the space and time they need — a moment’s inattention can have irreversible consequences.
Looking Ahead
As the summer season progresses and traffic volumes increase on both national routes and rural roads, the conditions that contribute to serious collisions become more common. Longer days, more leisure journeys, and greater numbers of motorcyclists and cyclists on the road all call for heightened awareness from every road user.
Please slow down, stay focused, and look out for those around you. The roads belong to all of us — and every journey should end safely at home.
If you have been affected by road loss, Anam Cara and other bereavement support services are available across Ireland.
Report card description: Two people were killed on Irish roads between 10 and 13 June 2026, in separate incidents in counties Louth and Tipperary. Road deaths this year remain at a broadly similar level to the same period in 2025, with around 79 lives lost to date.