Mayo family's heartfelt appeal after fatal road accident

The family of a 44-year-old driver for a parcel delivery company, who lost his life in a single-vehicle crash last year, have issued a heartfelt road safety appeal.

Michael John Murphy, Belmullet and Upper Drumindoo, Westport, lost his life when his van left the N59 at Claggan Mountain, Ballycroy, on the morning of February 6, 2025. The father-of-two, who worked for delivery company DPD, was involved in a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the Ballycroy to Mulranny road. Mr Murphy, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

An inquest at Ballina Courthouse heard that the Renault Traffic van went over a bank, collided head on with a tree and the driver was impaled by a branch of the tree. There were no signs of a life when an ambulance crew arrived.

Motorist Noreen Ruddy, who was the first to arrive on the scene, gave a deposition to gardaí which was read into evidence at the inquest by Sgt Noel Crinnegan.

She explained that when she saw a van had gone off the road she initially thought it had gone off earlier and had not been removed yet. However, when she checked and saw an arm sticking through the front window she knew there was somebody in the van and rang 999.

Another driver, described by Ms Ruddy as being of foreign nationality, also stopped and assisted.

Pathologist Dr Fadel Bennani outlined the cause of death as multiple injuries including fracture of the cervical spine and a lacerated liver.

Patrick Murphy, a brother of the deceased, addressed the hearing and asked road users to take care “so that others won’t have to go through what we went through". He said his brother was a very experienced driver who knew the road “like the back of his hand”.

Mr Murphy said Patrick had been on medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. He urged motorists to take responsibility for their driving, adding that “the authorities can only do so much”.

An examination by a Garda PSV inspector indicated the van was serviceable prior to the impact.

Sgt John Horkan, forensic collision investigator, said that after the impact the driver’s foot was still on the accelerator. There were no tyre marks or brake marks.

Before returning a verdict of accidental death, coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald described the circumstances involved as “complex”, noting that Mr Murphy had a history of hypertension and angina.

Sergeant Crinnegan, on behalf of An Garda Síochána, joined the coroner in expressing condolences with Mr Murphy’s loved ones.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.