Second tragedy for family as man (45) killed in Galway accident named

Sean Ryan

Tributes are being paid to a man who died in a road accident in Co Galway on Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened at Clareview Park in Ballybane at about 2.50pm on Sunday, May 18th.

All three drivers were taken to University Hospital Galway. One of them, a man in his 40s, has since died.

A postmortem is set to be carried out. It is understood that the driver may have passed away as a result of a medical condition, though it will be established whether the collision played a role in his passing.

The deceased has been named locally as father of two Aidan McNern (45), who was originally from Dunkineely, Co. Donegal but had been living in Galway city for a number of years.

He is survived by his mother Caroline, his daughters Grace and Ciara and their mum Annmarie and a twin brother and sister. Locals said Mr McNern was a "true gentleman".

In a cruel twist of fate, this is the second tragedy for the McNern family in as many years.

Aidan’s father, Eamon, tragically lost his life in a boat accident at Bruckless Pier in County Donegal in September 2023. Eamon had been a prominent member of Bruckless rowing club.

Aidan’s remains will repose at his family home in Castleview in Dunkineely, tomorrow, Wednesday, from 2pm until 9pm and at the same times on Thursday, May 22nd.

His funeral will take place on Friday at 11.30am at The Church of St Joseph and Conal, Bruckless, Co Donegal, for Requiem mass at 12pm with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Gardaí are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who was in the Clareview Park area between 2.30pm and 3pm to come forward.

Road users with dash-cam footage or any other relevant camera footage are particularly encouraged to assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gaillimh Garda Station at 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any local Garda station.

Mr McNern’s death was the 61st fatality on Irish roads in 2025 and came just 48 hours after the death of prominent Galway GAA figure Denis O’Donnell in an accident in Tuam on May 16th.

It is believed that Mr O’Donnell suffered a medical event while driving in Tuam at 10.30pm on Friday, May 16th.

Mr O’Donnell, the father of Galway Senior footballer Brian O’Donnell, will be laid to rest on Wednesday, May 21st, in Tuam.