Taking the Walk in Memory
Image 1 of 14
Aidan Jordan (Learner Driver Support Programme) with Donna Price (IRVA founder). Thomas GibbonsImage 2 of 14
Liam Bardon, Catriona Williams and Fr Sean McDermott (chaplain) from the Civil Defence. Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 14
Sean Ryan with Noel O'Callaghan (MC). Thomas GibbonsImage 4 of 14
Seamus Boland (European Economic and Social Committee president) and Ciaran Mullooly MEP. Thomas GibbonsImage 5 of 14
Sloane Doody and Savannah Coyne on Sunday. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 14
Piper Dave Kelly lead the walk. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 14
The Mullingar Gospel Choir. Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 14
Some guests were invited to release doves. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 14
Garda Neill Donnelan, Inspector Fergus Mulhearne, Garda Linzi Martin and Garda Fiona Walsh from Mullingar Garda Station Thomas GibbonsImage 10 of 14
Station Officer Eric Smith and Sub Station Officer Rody Corbett (Mullingar Fire Station). Thomas GibbonsImage 11 of 14
Finbar Coady and John Smith sang on Sunday afternoon. Thomas GibbonsImage 12 of 14
The IRVA remembrance table. Thomas GibbonsImage 13 of 14
Leo Lieghio (IRVA vice president and PRO) and Rebecca O'Callaghan documented the day. Thomas GibbonsImage 14 of 14
Chief Superintendent David Harrington and Assistant Commissioner Catriona Gunn at Bloomfield House Hotel. Thomas GibbonsOn Sunday November 16, lone piper Dave Kelly led The Walk in Memory to the Lake as he played ‘Lord Lovat’s Lament and Let Erin Remember’.
The annual event organised by The Irish Road Victims Association undertakes to emphasise the need for constant vigilance when sitting behind the wheel of any motor vehicle. This year it took on more significance as five young people died and three others were injured in a road crash in Dundalk in Co Louth.
Commencing at the Bloomfield Hotel this poignant gathering makes a point that has a real social impact. Road deaths in Ireland have encroached into almost every family. The organising group, the IRVA, was founded in 2012, a year when 161 people lost their lives on Irish roads.
Although the death toll on roads has improved significantly since the National Safety Council was established in 1987, the loss of life is still unacceptably high. In 1987 there were 462 road deaths in Ireland; last year 174 people perished on our roads. The lamentable aspect of this number is how many are preventable.
The IRVA hope events like the Walk in Memory will give people pause, and in doing so treat other road users with respect.
Since 2012 the voluntary group have provided free information, emotional and practical support, to bereaved families and seriously injured road traffic victims. As part of their remit, they aim to reduce road deaths and injury, improve road crash investigations, and improve support services for road victims and bereaved families.
Sunday’s ceremony featured Sean Canney, Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, as one of the contributors.
More importantly it gave a voice to many people who lost loved ones as they gather to remember all victims lost and injured to road crashes.