17 November 2016
23,949 people killed on Irish roads since 1959
This Sunday, the victims of road collisions across the globe will be remembered on ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’. To mark the day, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) launched ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ 2016 with a special audience with acclaimed singer-songwriter Christy Moore at Smock Alley Theatre, on Thursday, 17th November 2016, from 10.00am to 11.30am.
23,949 people have died on Irish roads to date (17 November 2016) since records began in 1959. Already this year, 165 families, friends and communities have lost a loved one.
The RSA will be joined in Dublin at the launch of ‘World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ by singer-songwriter Christy Moore, who will perform a special song he has performed commemorating those who have lost their lives on our roads for an audience of families and friends who have been impacted by road traffic collisions.
The RSA along with Road Safety Officers in Local Authorities and road safety support organisations have organised masses, services and commemorative events around the country this Sunday to remember the lives that have been lost and changed forever on our roads. A full list of the events is available on www.rsa.ie
In addition, the RSA will have a ‘Wall of Remembrance’ on its Facebook page www.facebook.com/RSAireland. The Wall of Remembrance is a place for people to come and share their memories, to light a candle and leave a memorial message for a loved one who has been killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Ms Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority said, “’World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ gives us an opportunity to remember those who have died on our roads and the families, friends and communities who have been devastated by their loss. When we read reports of the numbers of people who are killed or injured on our roads, we need to remember that there are real lives, real families and real communities behind these statistics. For thousands of families around the country, their lives are forever changed as a result of a collision. It’s not enough to just keep these people in our hopes and prayers once a year, rather we must all commit work together and take responsibility for our behaviour on the roads, and create real change, out of respect for their memories.”
Superintendent Con O’Donohue, An Garda Síochána said: “An Garda Síochána is committed to working to keep our roads free from death and serious injury, but to do this we need the support of each and every person who uses the roads. As we head into the winter season and the evenings grow darker, we all must commit to thinking about road safety: every time you sit behind the wheel, get on your bicycle or motorbike, or head out for a walk, consider what you can do to improve your safety on the roads and the safety of everyone around you.”
‘World Day of Remembrance’ reminds us how quickly and easily tragedy can happen on our roads and I would encourage people to use the day as an opportunity to look at our own actions on the roads and the role we play in keeping them free from tragedy.”
The following activities will mark ‘World Day of Remembrance’ around Ireland:
Cork
PARC Road Safety Group are holding a Special Ceremony to remember all those affected by road traffic collisions in Loreto Secondary School Sports Hall, Fermoy, Cork at 2pm. Music by the Cork Garda Choir. Please see here for a poster of our event. PARC’s 2016 edition of Finding Your Way, a free information guide for families of victims of road traffic collisions will be launched. You can download a copy of Finding Your Way from PARC’s website www.parcroadsafety.ie For further details please contact Susan Gray at 086-3773784.
A memorial mass will take place in Cork City in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street (Shandon) at 11.30am. It will be attended by personnel from the emergency services.
Limerick
A remembrance mass will take place in in St. Augustine’s Church, Limerick on Sunday 20th November at 11.15am. All are welcome.
Dublin
A Special Memorial Mass for World Day of Remembrance is taking place in St. Michans Church, Halston Street, Dublin 7 at 12.00 pm. It will be attended by members of the Emergency Services and singing will be provided by the Music Ministry Choir. A candle lighting service will take place to remember all those who have tragically lost their lives on our roads. On the day, family members will also be invited to place the name of their loved one on the Jesse tree. All are welcome to attend, if you have any queries in relation to this event please contact Orlaith on 087 9775710.
Galway
A special commemoration to remember all road traffic victims will take place in the Salthill Hotel, Galway at 2pm on Sunday the 20th of November. As part of the ceremony you are invited to bring a framed photograph of your lost loved one. Please rsvp by contacting Catherine by email cflaherty@rsa.ie or by phone 087-2027034.
Kerry
A special memorial mass is taking place in St. Mary’s Cathedral, New Street, Killarney at 12pm midday.
A special mass for road victims will take place at 9am in St Mary’s Church, Listowel. All are welcome.
Louth
A special memorial mass is taking place in the Augustinian Church, Drogheda, Co. Louth at 1:15pm. All are welcome.
Mayo
A service will take place in Knock Shrine at 12 noon to recognise the professional work performed by all the emergency services and hospital staff. Refreshments and a get together will take place after mass in St. John’s Rest and Care Centre.
Waterford
A special commemoration to remember all road traffic victims will take place in the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford at 2pm. As part of the ceremony you are invited to bring a framed photograph of your lost loved one. Please rsvp by contacting Eileen by email ecunningham@rsa.ie or by phone 087-9742016.
Westmeath ‘
The Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) are hosting a memorial service for Road Traffic Victims in the Belvedere and Uisneach suites, Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar at 2pm. Musical performances by John Smith, John Maher, Vincent Hunt and the local youth orchestra, and lone piper Joe Gavin. During the ceremony white doves and balloons will be released by the lakeside by our bereaved families and members of the emergency services, and red roses floated on the lake in memory of all of the precious lives lost and broken on our roads. They invite you to join them and to take a framed photo of your lost loved one with you. For families affected, for their free information guide and other support and contact information visit their website www.irva.ie If you would like your lost loved one included on their Wall of Remembrance or ‘Remember Me’ scrolls, please email a photo, together with your contact information to: irva@eircom.net Should you require any further information, please contact Donna Price @ 0868634194.’ Please see a poster for the event here.
