Edenderry motorcyclist dies in collision

Tributes have been paid to the young Edenderry motorcyclist who lost his life  in a horrific collision on the old N4 outside Mullingar on Sunday morning last.

Twenty four year old Kenneth Dunne from Clonmore Road in Edenderry had been travelling towards Mullingar with a fellow motorcyclist and neighbour when the crash occurred.

It is understood that the two young approached the tee-junction at Heathstowwn, Kinnegad ab about 11.15am having travelled along the old N4 from Kinnegad. It is believed that one of the motorcyclists realised the dangerous nature of the junction and managed to avoid serious while the late Mr Dunne’s powerful machine collided with a safety barrier, manning the top of the junction.

Locals came to their aid in the aftermath of the crash and the emergency services were summoned. One of the two men had sustained a fractured wrist but it was apparent Mr Dunne had received life-threatening injuries. He was removed from the scene by ambulance and taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar where, tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.

Gardaí from Kinnegad, who are appealing for witnesses to the accident, took control of the scene and the road was closed. Local diversions were put in place while Forensic Collision Investigators examined the crash site, in a bid to determine how the accident occurred. The road was reopened to traffic on Sunday afternoon.

The area where the fatal crash occurred has long been regarded as a blackspot and has been the scene of a number of accidents in the past. According to a senior garda, officers who were investigating the accident on Sunday were approached by local residents who were appealing for greater safety measures to be put in place.

Cllr Noel Bourke told the Irish Independent that Kenneth came from a respected family and that he was a 'genuine, happy go lucky lad'.

'They are lovely people. The whole town is in shock. Our condolences go to all the Dunne family at this terrible time,' he said.

'He was genuine, happy-go-lucky lad. All that knew him will miss him badly.'