A coach driver died yesterday when his 50-seater coach crashed into the gable of the 18th century J K O'Connor building, the oldest commercial premises in Castleisland, Co Kerry.
The driver was the sole occupant of the coach and was travelling to Dublin from Tralee when the accident happened at 3.15am. He was named as John O'Callaghan (62), Ballymacaquim, of east Abbeydorney, Co Kerry.
Gardaí yesterday warned of traffic delays and diversions on the N21, the main Killarney and Tralee route to Limerick and Dublin, for a number of days. They have asked motorists to avoid the route if possible.
The main street in Castleisland remained partially closed yesterday and gardaí appealed to motorists for patience in the coming days.
Rubble and masonry collapsed from the three-storey building and five youths in the vicinity were lucky to escape with their lives, according to gardaí.
One youth suffered a broken arm and another had minor cuts and bruises. Both were taken to Kerry General Hospital.
The coach was being examined by Garda vehicle inspectors yesterday and the building, which was closed for business, was being examined by engineers.
Local councillor Bobby O'Connell, who owns the Poet's Corner bar directly opposite the damaged premises on lower Main Street, said he was alerted by "a bang like an explosion".
The noise "woke half the town", he said. He extended his sympathy to the family of the man who died.
The building was the principal building in Castleisland and a symbol of the town. It now operates as a drapers and travel agents and dates from 1747. It was once the market house for the area where butter and eggs and other local produce were traded.
The heads of locals executed in Tralee by the crown forces were stuck on the gates during 1798 and other rebellions, it is believed.
The owner of the building Cormac O'Mahony said their main concern was for the man who died and for his family.
Reconstruction of the damaged part of the historic building was already under way yesterday, Mr O'Mahony said.
It operated as a commercial building only and there was nobody in residence.