A man in his 40s who died in a single-vehicle incident shortly after 1.30am on Saturday at Ballynamona in Kinsale, Co Cork, has been named locally as Finbarr Coleman.
Mr Coleman, who was a rear-seat passenger in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed from the scene to the mortuary at Cork University Hospital where a postmortem examination will take place. Mr Coleman was from the Dunderrow area. He was one of six people in the car at the time of the incident.
The group were returning from a road bowling event in Kinsale when the incident occurred.
The chairman of Ból Chumann na hÉireann (the Irish Road Bowling Association), Willie Murphy, said the death of Mr Coleman was a “tragic event”.
An Irish cardiologist’s tips on how to ‘make purposeful changes in your life and see them through’
Ten predictions experts made about the world in 2025. All of them are wrong
Cameras to catch drivers breaking red lights to be introduced in Dublin
Nanci Griffith: From a Distance review – harrowing account of the country music star’s life that ended in isolation and alcoholism
“Finbarr was coming from a happy occasion and then the saddest of all things occurred. He was coming from a score [bowling match] near Kinsale. A lad he was travelling with had won the final of a bowling competition. He [Finbarr] was a passenger and they had an accident on the way home.
“He was just 40 years of age and from Innishannon. He was involved in road bowling all his life. He played football years ago but road bowling was his game now. It just shows that ultimately sport is only sport. It is terrible news to get.”
Mr Coleman of Slievegullane, Innishannon, is survived by his brothers Brendan, Bernard, Arthur and Anthony, his sister-in-law Fiona, niece Katie Coleman, Brendan’s partner Imelda and his extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents Dan and Teresa. Funeral arrangements will be finalised in the coming days, according to a notice on rip.ie.
A youth county final in road bowling which was due to take place on Saturday in Newcestown, Co Cork, was cancelled in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The other occupants of the car escaped serious injuries in the incident. It is understood the car went out of control, hit a sign and then a tree stump.
The driver of the car, a man in his 30s, was arrested at the scene but was later released without charge. A file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The death of Mr Coleman brings to 109 the number of people who have died on Irish roads so far this year.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dashcam) and were travelling in the Ballynamona area between 1.15am and 1.45am on Saturday are asked to come forward.
Anyone with any information should contact Bandon Garda station on 023 885 2200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis