Tullamore-born bishop has called for greater vigilance on roads

Tullamore native Bishop Fintan Monahan has called for greater care and vigilance on Irish roads, as he says "Ireland has now one of the fastest growing road death rates in Europe".

Bishop Monahan, who is Bishop of Killaloe which covers parts of South Offaly, led a 'Blessing of the roads' ceremony at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul in Ennis, on Sunday, January 12.

Commenting on the death toll on Ireland's roads during 2024, Bishop Fintan Monahan, said: “243 deaths on the island's roads during 2024 is a national tragedy, and a failure in both public policy and in our own personal driving behaviour. The road safety record, both in the Republic and in the North, is of deep concern to me.

"A total of 174 people lost their lives on the roads in the Republic last year, while there were 69 fatalities recorded in Northern Ireland. Once a leader in road safety standards, Ireland now has one of the fastest-growing road death rates in Europe.

"So many of these tragic fatalities are preventable, and an improvement requires constant care, attention, and vigilance from all road users: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, or pedestrians, as well as effective partnership with the relevant civic authorities.”

During the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Bishop Monahan invites families and parishes across the country to pray for those who have tragically lost their lives on the roads, and for the safety and well-being of all road users.

He added: “This year, as the universal Catholic Church reflects on the theme of hope, we in Ireland must include "hope" - in our prayers and actions - to make a difference and protect human life on our roads."