Coroner calls for lessons to be learned to reduce road deaths in 2024

THE Coroner for the District of Mayo has appealed for motorists and other road users to educate themselves on the dangers of driving and reduce the number of deaths on the road.

Jimmy Rowe, a father-of-five in his 40s from the Tuam area, became the latest person to be added to the names of people who have died on Mayo roads this year when he was involved in a single vehicle accident outside Claremorris on Sunday.

The incident occurred shortly before 6.15pm on Sunday, January 21 on the N17 at Lisduff, Claremorris. The driver was the sole occupant of the only car involved in this collision which occurred at the height of Storm Isla.

Speaking in Swinford Courthouse, which was holding a number of inquests on Monday, Patrick O'Connor commented that the death of Mr Rowe overnight was a reminder that vehicles can be 'lethal weapons'.

“Already this year there have been more than a dozen [deaths] in this country and unfortunately last evening we had another road traffic incident in Mayo. I do hope that people do take into account the dangers that are on the roads and the dangers of driving a car and the necessity to educate yourself on how to deal with driving.

_{The late Jimmy Rowe (Pic: Rip.ie)}

Lethal weapons

“THEY are ultimately lethal weapons if they are not properly dealt with and controlled. Good road manners on the road is so important but unfortunately some people do not abide by the rules of the road and exercise common courtesy. That is also a contributing factor as well as speed and other circumstances such as natural events.

“At this early stage in the year, please God there will not be many more road traffic deaths. Hopefully the lessons will be learned from the death of other unfortunate incidents in the last 12 months where in this county alone over a dozen people passed away,” he said.

Jimmy Rowe, who was a dad-of-five and aged in his 40s, was named as the victim of Sunday's tragic road death on Sunday on the N17 near Claremorris.

Mr Rowe was originally from Longford but was a resident of Tuam and was on his way back to Tuam when his vehicle left the road on a stretch of the N17 between Claremorris and Ballindine. A Met Éireann red weather warning had been in place for Mayo and Galway at the time of the incident.

The road was closed overnight and yesterday morning to allow the Forensic Collision Investigators to carry out an investigation of the incident.

Local diversions were in place through Ballindine and Claremorris and Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N17 in the Lisduff area at the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda station on 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Jimmy Rowe will repose this Wednesday, January 24, in Tuam (161 Clochrán, Kilcloghans, Tuam, Co Galway, H54 C866) from 5pm. to 8pm. He will repose on Thursday in Ballymahon (No. 10 Slí Na Móna, N39 FF98) from 5 pm to 8pm.

His Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at noon in St Matthew's Church, Ballymahon followed by burial in Shrule Cemetery. The Mass can be streamed at http://www.facebook.com/St-Matthews-Church-Ballymahon-105348291110682/.