Mayo undertaker reveals horrors of road accidents
Mayo has seen a frightening number of deaths on the roads this year.
A Mayo undertaker has described the “devastating” scenes he has encountered when called to fatal road accidents this year.
A total of 19 people have lost their lives on Mayo roads so far in 2024, the highest fatality level ever recorded in Mayo at this time of year.
Castlebar-based Independent councillor and undertaker Michael Kilcoyne has attended some of the most harrowing road collisions seen in the county.
“I have gone out to scenes where bodies have been shattered. Broken beyond such recognition that a bomb might has well have gone off,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.
He said one particular road tragedy (he understandably did not want to name those involved) has left a lasting impact on him.
“I have never, ever seen anything like it in my life, and I don’t ever want to again,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.
He said speed is undoubtedly a factor in some of the deaths on Mayo’s roads.
“You come across accidents that occur on wide open roads. The most fragile part of a car is the person that’s driving it and I think people sometimes forget that and believe they are invincible. Metal will roll into a ball while flesh will just be torn apart,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.
“Speed and mobile phone use, particularly speed, are the main contributing factors, in my view. If you are driving at speed and are on the phone, you have no chance,” he added.
The latest Mayo road accident victim was laid to rest last week.
Ballinrobe GP Dr Martin Finnerty died after he was struck by a van while walking near Church Lane in the South Mayo town last Thursday week.
A native of Athenry, Dr Finnerty had lived in Ballinrobe for almost 40 years. He ran a GP practice at Cornmarket and his death has shocked Ballinrobe.
Dr Finnerty is survived by his heartbroken wife Paula and children Peter, Síoda and Sibéal.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.
