Three die and six injured in Dungarvan Crash

Three people have died and six others are seriously injured following a two car crash on the Military Road near Dungarvan this morning.

It was first reported that two people had lost their lives in the crash. That figure was updated to three this evening.

The Crash between a car and a people carrier happened at about 10am this morning on a stretch of road between Ballyneety Cross and Master McGrath.

It is understood that the car which was travelling in a westward direction burst into flames on impact and all three occupants of the car died.

The People Carrier is understood to be travelling from the Cork direction towards Waterford and contained six people, two adults and four children.

The occupants of the People Carrier were airlifted from the scene to hospitals in Waterford and Cork to be treated for their injuries some of which are described as serious.

Members of the Waterford County Fire Brigade as well as Ambulances from across the region and Gardai arrived quickly on the scene following the reporting of the accident and a major emergency plan was put in place.

The Irish Coast Guard Helicopter based at Waterford Regional Airport and an Air Corps Helicopter were also tasked to the scene to lift the injured to hospital.

Local Parish Priest Fr. Michael Kennedy was also called to the scene where he performed the last rites on the dead and blessed the injured.

Gardai have still not formally identified the three deceased from the car that went on fire.

Diversions were put in place to allow the emergency services to work uninterrupted at the scene throughout the day.

In the last while, the bodies of the deceased were removed from the scene. The road remains closed.

Gardai in Dungarvan have called for any witness or those that travelled the road at around the time of the accident to contact the investigation team in Dungarvan to contact them on 058 48600 or at any Garda Station.

 

N24 and N25 closed following incidents

Two major roads into Waterford are closed this evening following collision’s.

The N24 between Waterford and Clonmel is closed southbound at the junction for Piltown. Local diversions are in place in the area.

The N25 between Dungarvan and Waterford is closed between Kilmeaden and Carrol’s Cross is also closed due to a collision and again diversions are in place.

The Newcapel Road of the N24 between Clonmel and Cahir is also closed this evening following a collision and motorist in the area are asked to used alternative routes.

Earlier today a Status Orange Fog Warning was issued for the country with fog expected to linger until midday on Friday.

A status yellow low temperature was also issued today for the entire country with frost developing overnight and continuing until around midday tomorrow. Lowest temperatures overnight are expected to drop to -5 degrees.

The AA on their website this evening has warned of foggy and frosty conditions in and around Waterford city and have asked drivers to drive with care.

Waterford Mourns the Sudden Death of a Favourite Son

Thousands in Waterford woke this morning to the shocking news that one of its favourite sons’ Billy McCarthy had died during the night following a short and sudden illness.

A popular presenter WLR.FM, the station announced the news this morning at the request of Billy’s partner Des O’Keeffe and the McCarthy family.

Managing director of WLR.FM Des Whelan in a statement issued by the radio station said “Billy was a much loved friend and colleague of all of us here at WLR FM. His untimely death is a huge loss not just to our listeners but to all of us who had the fortune to work with him for many years”.

Billy McCarthy first got involved in local radio in a five year stint with WLR in its pirate days when he presented The Good News Programme on a Saturday morning between 1983 and 1988. After the Station obtained a licence Billy took over presenting Deise AM on the 10am to Midday slot from December 1989 up to two weeks ago. He was also Programme Director of the Station from 1989 to 2014.

Programme Director at WLR.fm Michael Byrne said that Billy’s death “is a huge loss for his partner Des, his family and all his friends at the station; he was a brilliant colleague and an even better friend”.

A special programme to remember Billy McCarthy will be broadcast on WLR FM on Monday Nov 21st from 10am – midday and online via www.wlrfm.com

The Removal of Billy’s remains will take place to the Holy Cross Church, Tramore tomorrow (Monday) evening arriving at 6.30pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Tuesday at 1pm with funeral afterwards to St. Declan’s Cemetery, Riverstown, Tramore.

Billy is survived by his partner Des O’Keeffe, his mother Kay, his sister Celine, brothers Declan and Ronan and his extended family, relatives and many friends.

Youth dies in Co. Waterford traffic accident

Gardai in Dungarvan are investigating a single vehicle crash in which the driver was the sole occupant.

The incident happened yesterday evening on the N72 at Ballygalane between Cappoquin and Lismore at about 6-30pm.

Gardai have reported that the car was in collision with a wall and burst into fire. A body was recovered from the car and was removed to Waterford University Hospital.

Gardai have not yet positively identified the deceased or given details of their gender but the name of a youth has been mentioned on a local sports clubs social media page.

The stretch of road was closed over night to allow a Garda Forensic Examination to take place but reopened this afternoon.

Gardai have called on any witnesses to the crash to contact Dungarvan Garda Station on 058 48600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Jobs Boost for Waterford

Waterford is to get 25 new job which will be created over the next 12 months.

Transit software company RouteMatch have announced plans to expand even more, the initial 25 jobs created by RouteMatch will add to its RMPay payment solutions technology services. All new roles are in software development.

“Transit is needed by so many people today, and without it, many cannot get to their jobs, medical appointments or families,” said Larry Breen, head of RouteMatch’s Irish operation.

Mr. Breen called Waterford a “welcome extension” to his company’s team, and said both the environment and talent available makes the location ideal.

RouteMatch provides technologies to help transit companies manage their operations, as well as “engage” their drivers.

The company’s software is used by fixed-scheduled transit services and demand-response transit services where door-to-door delivery is required. It currently services customers across North America and Australia, primarily through state and local government contracts.

Second Evacuation in Waterford inside a Month

Gardai in Waterford City have evacuated an area in the Short-Course area of the city after a suspect device was found.

Roads in the area were quickly closed off and diversions around the Barrack Street area were put in place as Gardai dealt with the incident. The Bomb disposal Squad based in Cork were also summoned to the area.

Gardai began to clear the area at about 8-30am this morning and have no idea of when they can return. Residents are currently being looked after at the Mount Sion centre and at local business premises outside of the area in which the cordon is in place.

Local Waterford City and County Councillor, Sinn Fein’s John Hearne has told local radio station W.L.R.fm that the incident show that the Gardai need more resources in Waterford to deal with law and order issues.

Earlier this month a number of buildings in the city centre were evacuated after an anonymous phone call was made claiming that two bombs were set to explode in the city. On that occasion Gardai quickly evacuated the Mall Area as hundreds of people were told to leave after reports were received of a bomb been placed in the Theatre Royal.

Gardai rescue man from River Suir

Two Gardai helped rescue a man in his 40’s from drowning the River Suir at Clonmel last night.

The rescue happed about 11pm when Gardai received reports there was a man in the River close to the Bridgewater House.

Two Gardai from Clonmel Garda Station rushed to the scene where on arriving Garda Brian Batt and Garda Brendan Ryan jumped into the river to help assist a man floating on the water and who was not moving.

A number of onlookers also helped in the operation as the man was removed from the water by a river ladder.

The man who was unresponsive was transferred to a Garda Car and driven to meet an oncoming ambulance that was also summoned to the scene and was taken to South Tipperary General Hospital where he received treatment.

The man who was unconscious on arriving at South Tipperary General Hospital was reported to be in a stable condition this morning.