Pedestrian (70s) killed in Laois collision is named locally

A pedestrian who died in a traffic collision near Stradbally last night has been named locally as Paddy Mulhall, who was aged in his 70s.

The Crannagh area is in shock following the death of Mr Mulhall, who had worked at Telfords in Portlaoise.

The fatal collision happened when he was on the road outside his home in Crannagh, at about 10.45pm on Sunday, 23 February.

It is the second tragedy on Laois roads within 48 hours, following the death of Aaron Hussain (5) who was struck by a car in Kilminchy on Saturday afternoon.

Extending sympathy to Mr Mulhall's family at a meeting of Laois County Council this morning, Stradbally councillor Paschal McEvoy said he was "a lovely and well-liked man".

Describing the incident as tragic, Cllr McEvoy said: "A bachelor who lived by himself, he was always on the road and anyone who came across him always picked him up."

Mr Mulhall was sadly pronounced dead following the collision, which happened on the N80 on the Carlow side of Stradbally. 

He was removed to Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise and a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course. 

A woman who was driving the car, aged in her 30s, was not injured.

The road is closed pending an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators this morning.

Garda are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

In an appeal this morning, gardaí said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N80 at Crannagh, Stradbally, Co. Laois between 10.30pm and 11pm yesterday, 23rd February 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”