A section of the N26 in Co. Mayo where a mother and her daughter were killed last month was described by a coroner today as ‘not fit for modern traffic’.

Patrick O’Connor, Coroner for the District of Mayo, made his comments at the opening of an inquest into the deaths of Aisling Moore (46) and her eight-year-old daughter, Abbigael Tournié Moore.

Aisling and Abbigael died on 2 July when their car collided with a lorry at Callow between Foxford and Swinford.

Eamon Moore, father of Aisling and grandfather of Abbigael, attended the brief hearing as did Aisling’s sister, Anita.

Coroner O’Connor told the family members he knew they shared his concerns about the safety of the stretch of road where their loved ones died.

“The local authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will have to do something about the stretch of road”, he continued.

A pathologist gave evidence that the medical cause of death in Aisling’s case was extensive fatal injuries including multiple fractures and head injuries.

The medical cause of Abbigael’s death was extensive head injuries sustained in a road traffic accident, pathologist Dr. Tamas Nemeth said.

Aisling Moore’s occupation was described in court today as a beautician.

Her marital status was given as divorced. Coroner O’Connor informed the family it would take some time before a full inquiry is carried out.

He said he was opening the inquest so that a State death certificate could be issued.

“The Garda investigation will be thorough and will take quite an amount of time”, the coroner stated.

He then adjourned the substantive inquest hearing pending the completion of the Garda investigation.

Gardaí, first responders and civilians who attended the accident scene were thanked by the coroner and Sergeant Ronan Drury, courts presenter for An Garda Síochána.

A Fatal Accident on the N26

The tragic accident involving Aisling and Abbigael occurred on a stretch of the N26 between Foxford and Swinford. The location of the accident was a bend in the road known as Callow. The collision involved a car driven by Aisling and a lorry. Aisling and Abbigael were pronounced dead at the scene.

Coroner's Verdict

Following the opening of the inquest, Coroner O’Connor expressed his concern about the safety of the N26 stretch of road where the fatal accident occurred. He stated that the road was “not fit for modern traffic”. The coroner's statement raises serious questions about the adequacy of the road infrastructure in this region.

Investigating the Cause of the Accident

An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fatal accident. The coroner has adjourned the inquest pending the completion of this investigation. The investigation will likely focus on the factors that led to the collision, including road conditions, driver behavior, and vehicle maintenance.

Calls for Road Safety Improvements

The coroner's remarks about the N26 being unfit for modern traffic have sparked calls for immediate road safety improvements in the area. Local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have been urged to take action to address the safety concerns raised by the coroner. This includes potentially investing in road widening, installing safety barriers, and improving visibility at dangerous bends.

Public Safety Concerns

The N26 is a major road in County Mayo, connecting several towns and villages. The road is used by a significant number of vehicles, including cars, lorries, and buses. The recent fatal accident has highlighted the dangers of this road and the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of all road users. The coroner's statement serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing road safety and investing in infrastructure improvements to prevent future tragedies.

The Impact on the Community

The death of Aisling and Abbigael has sent shockwaves through the community. The local community has rallied around the family and expressed their condolences. The incident has also raised awareness about the importance of road safety and the need for greater attention to be paid to dangerous stretches of road.

Moving Forward

The coroner’s comments and the ongoing Garda investigation highlight the need for a comprehensive review of the N26 and other potentially dangerous roads across the country. The objective should be to identify areas that need improvement and to implement measures that will make our roads safer for everyone. The tragic loss of life in this incident serves as a stark reminder that we must do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.