The two men who died in a tragic motorcycle crash in County Meath yesterday have been named locally as Stuart O’Connell and Mark Eager.

The two men died in a three-vehicle crash on the R195 road at Bellaney, between Oldcastle and Castlepollard, Co Meath, around 4.40pm. 

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. 

Local Sinn Féin TD Jonny Guirke said it has been “very sad” for the local area. 

“I knew the lads well, two lovely lads,” he said. 

“It happened about a mile from my own house – I looked out the window flying by my house with the lights on and I knew there was something wrong. 

“It was only later that I found out who they were.” 

Their deaths came during a dark weekend on Irish roads, with five people losing their lives since Saturday.

A man in his 20s died in a crash in Navan, Co Meath, overnight while another man died in the early hours of Saturday after the car he was travelling in crashed near Kinsale. 

A 14-year-old also died following an e-scooter crash in Kilkenny on Saturday. 

Crash victims 'not statistics'

Taoiseach Simon Harris expressed his “deep sorrow” at the death of the five people and offered condolences to their friends and family members.

“113 people have now lost their lives on Irish roads this year – an increase of 16 in comparison to the same period last year,” he said. 

“These are not statistics; they are lost lives and shattered families.” 

He said Ireland has made “significant progress” in reducing road deaths in recent years – but this is now at risk. 

“As we approach the August Bank Holiday weekend, I am urging everyone to slow down, put the phone away and never ever take a drink or drugs before getting into a car,” he said. 

Speaking today, Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said road deaths are “a reality but they are not inevitable”. 

“We continue to appeal to all drivers [to] slow down and never drive under the influence of an intoxicant,” he said. 

“The last 48 hours have been very tragic on Irish roads.

“Motorcyclists; it is a great hobby it is a great pastime... but they are a vulnerable road user. 

“If they are involved in a road traffic collision with a car or another vehicle, they are likely to sustain serious injuries, possibly fatal injuries.” 

Mr Geraghty called on motorcyclists to “be aware” of their own “vulnerability”.