'It's devastating' - Offaly community shocked as man is killed in late night crash

An Offaly community near the Laois border is in shock after a man was killed in a crash late on Monday night.

The crash occurred on the L1005 just outside the village of Bracknagh on Monday evening, May 20. The L1005 connects the Bracknagh to Clonbullogue road to the road between Bracknagh and Portarlington. It is a busy commuter route and is also home to Bracknagh GAA club.

Shortly after 11pm on Monday, gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the crash involving a single car on the road. The driver and sole occupant of the car, a male in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene, gardaí confirmed in a statement.

The small village close to the borders of Laois and Kildare woke up to the devastating news on Tuesday. One local remarked: "It's devastating. We are just shocked hearing it. It's very sad. Condolences to the young man's family."

It's understood the victim was originally from Westmeath but had been living in the Edenderry area recently. 

ABOVE: The scene on Tuesday morning with the road closed for a crash scene examination

The local Coroner has been notified, and the deceased has been removed to the mortuary at Tullamore Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Garda forensic collision investigators were examining the crash site this morning as the road remains closed with local diversions in place.

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Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses and anyone with video footage (including dash cam) or recordings from along the route at the time of the collision to contact them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station at 057-9327600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.