Three die on Irish roads as gardaí detect driver doing 133km on Cork's South Ring

Three people died as a result of traffic collisions on Irish roads in the first 96 hours of a garda roads policing operation taking place across the St Patrick’s weekend.

A woman in her 40s died after a two-car collision occurred at approximately 7.45am on Thursday on the N51 in Boyerstown, Co Meath, and a man in his 80s died after being struck by a bus shortly after 6pm on Thursday on Station Rd in Bray, Co Wicklow.

On Sunday morning, at around 12.50am, a man in his 20s died on the N4 at Ballynafid, Co Westmeath, following a single vehicle collision.

Those deaths brought the total number of fatalities on Irish roads this year to 37.

The garda roads policing operation is taking place throughout the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, running from 7am on Thursday, March 12, until 7am on Wednesday, March 18.

Gardaí are conducting both statutory mandatory intoxicant testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints. As of Sunday, a total of 93 people had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In excess of 2,550 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first 72 hours of the operation.

Notable speeds detected in Cork included one driver travelling at 85km/h in a 50km/hr zone on the R617 in Kilnamucky, Tower, on Friday, and another motorist doing 133km/h in a 100km/hr zone on the South Ring Road on Saturday.

During the first 72 hours of the operation, more than 200 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

An Garda Síochána is appealing to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

All drivers taking to the roads this weekend are reminded to slow down, take extra care and to give their driving their full attention.