West Cork road tragedy – Gardai appeal for witnesses

A driver was killed when his car collided with a wall outside Clonakilty shortly after midnight last night. The fatal incident resulted in the closure of the main N71 route west on the outskirts of the town.

A man in his 50s, the driver and sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene and Gardai are now appealing for witnesses to the accident which locals say occured in cold, wet and misty conditions. The incident was very close to the Faxbridge Roundabout by the Scally’s Supermarket on the Cork side of town and diversions have been in place this morning.

A spokesperon said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Clonakilty, Co. Cork in the early hours of Tuesday, 14th January 2025.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a single vehicle collision involving a car on the N71 in Clonakilty town at approximately 12:15am.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, a male in his 50s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body was removed to Cork University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. No other injuries were reported.

The road remains closed this morning to facilitate a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 12:00am (midnight) and 12:30am are to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Clonakilty Garda Station on 023 882 1570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/west-cork-road-tragedy-gardai-30776810