Castledermot community 'devastated' following crash
The R448 outside Castledermot was closed for 10 hours yesterday
YESTERDAY’S crash at Barnhill just south of Castledermot was the seventh fatality on Kildare roads this year, which is more than twice the number (3) who died on Kildare roads in 2023.
Gardaí and emergency services were at the scene within 30 minutes of the two-vehicle collision involving a car and a truck, and the R448 from J4 of the M9 to Castledermot was closed until 7.30pm.
The driver of the car, a man aged in his 40s was fatally injured in the collision, and his body has since been removed from the scene to the mortuary in Naas General Hospital where a post mortem will take place in due course.
The driver of the truck was conveyed to St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny, for treatment of injuries believed to be non-life-threatening at this time.
No other injuries were reported at the time.
A local source could not formally identify if the deceased was local or passing through, but believes the truck might have been heading for Morrissey’s Quarry.
Local politician cllr Veralouise Behan offered her condolences, but said that the scene of the fatality was a "historical accident stretch”.
“We’ve seen so many accidents at Barnhill, it’s a big long straight road, and periodically you’ll hear of an accident locally, but then you hear it’s Barnhill again,” she said.
Cllr Behan was also unable to offer any clue as to where the deceased came from, but said: “the community is devastated, and our hearts go out to the relatives”.
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 in the area between 8.45am and 9.45am on the morning of Monday 19 August are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kildare Garda Station on 045 527 730, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
