THE first road fatality of the new year in Laois happened early on Saturday morning, around 8 am when a car hit a barrier before bursting into flames at Cappakeel on the M7.
Gardai only fully confirmed the identity of the victim, James McKeogh, from Ballina, Killaloe on Monday following DNA testing. Gardai in Portlaoise are investigating the circumstances of the fatal road traffic collision on the M7 at approx 08.20hrs o
n January 30. Members of the local fire service also attended at the scene.
The fatal single vehicle road traffic collision occurred on the southbound lane of the M7 motorway approx 15 miles north of Portlaoise immediately after junction17 (Killenard/Mountmellick exit). The single 26 year-old male occupant of the car died at the scene. The road was closed for a forensic collision examination with diversions put in place. Traffic travelling southbound was diverted up the slip road at Junction 17 onto the N7.
The body of the deceased was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.
Inspector Martin Cashin said while the garda forensic divisional inspector has yet to establish the exact cause of the accident, it was a frosty morning on Saturday. "We will have to determine whether or not he got a skid but we would remind people, particularly people travelling long journeys that we are still in winter conditions and there is bound to be frost in certain areas," he said. Witnesses are asked to contact the gardai in Portlaoise on 057 8674100 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.
