Storm-Hit Roads 'Claimed Lives'

As high winds and rough seas battered the western coastline of Ireland last night a senior police officer has warned road users to exercise great care - and other officers have connected a double road fatality to the poor conditions.

As spot flooding occurred in many low-lying areas, and even a section of Salthill promenade in Galway was closed for a number of hours as a precaution, with Gardaí diverting traffic through Salthill village instead, motorists were warned throughout the day to be particularly vigilant, with the strong winds and debris making driving conditions difficult.

Most recently, a Brazilian man who had been living in the Midlands region has drowned in an accident on the Offaly Westmeath border.

It is understood the man died when the car he was driving went off the road between Rhode and Rochfortbridge, hit a bank and rolled on its roof into the flood-swollen water.

The vehicle was discovered at about 8.30am this morning and his body was later recovered from the River Monagh.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey has already made a direct appeal to all road users to exercise greater care and to take personal responsibility when using the nation's roads for the remainder of the year.

"Gardaí appeal to young males in particular to slow down and take account of the changes in road and weather conditions as we continue into the winter months," he said, as water levels at Galway Docks and the Claddagh Basin were particularly high around tea-time and extensive sand-bagging was in place at the Spanish Arch, Quay Street and Flood Street and will remain in place, before predicted stormy conditions ease later tonight.

In Cork, minor flooding hit parts of the city centre last night. Flooding was reported shortly after 6pm at Penrose Quay, the South Terrace and Sharman-Crawford Street at the peak of the high tide.

Assistant Commissioner Twomey continued: "Sadly, so far this year over 190 people were killed on the national roads. 35 people were killed during October, making it one of the worst months for fatalities since February 2008," he said, noting extra challenges with less daylight and a greater chance of wet and slippery road surfaces.

Meanwhile, Gardaí investigating last night's collision in Co Galway that claimed the lives of two men have said there are some concerns surrounding the road conditions.

A van and a bus - carrying 27 students from Mayo to Limerick - crashed at Glenafosha outside Tuam shortly after 7.30pm.

The drivers of both vehicles - a man in his 30s and a man in his 60s - were killed.

Twelve of the students were taken to hospital but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Forensic examinations of the scene are taking place to piece together what happened, but it is understood poor weather made driving conditions very difficult.

Also last night, Gardai at Mountmellick were appealing for witnesses following another fatal road traffic collision - this time on the Mountmellick to Emo Road at Knightstown, Mountmellick.

They said that a 51-year-old male cyclist was fatally injured when he was struck by a car.

The driver of the car, a woman in her 20s, was taken to Portlaoise Hospital where she was being treated for minor injuries.

(BMcC/GK)