Brian Cronin, 37, died in a single-vehicle crash. Local police are asking any witnesses to come forward to help figure out what caused the accident.
Michael O’Toole Crime Correspondent and Brigid Brown Reporter
01:35 ET, 05 Jan 2026Updated 01:39 ET, 05 Jan 2026
Brian Cronin, 37, died in a car crash on Saturday at 11:20 pm local time (Image: Irish Mirror )
Tributes have been pouring in for a young father who tragically lost his life in a late-night car accident in rural County Kerry.
The deceased has been identified locally as 37-year-old Brian Cronin. The fatal single-vehicle crash occurred near Headford, approximately eight miles east of Killarney, on Saturday night.
Originally from Rathmore in County Kerry, Cronin had been living in Knocknagree, just across the border in County Cork, reports the Irish Mirror.
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“He was well-known down here,” a local shared with the Irish Mirror.
“He was very popular and everyone is shocked by the news.”
Garda arrived to the scene of a car crash that killed a young father (Image: Irish Mirror )
Cronin’s life was cut short when the car he was driving collided with a tree around 11:20 pm on Saturday.
He was declared dead at the scene, according to the gardai. They are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
In an official statement, the force said: “Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the L3013 at Knockdooragh, Headford, Co. Kerry on the night of Saturday 3rd January, 2026.”
Brian Cronin, 37, died in a single-vehicle car crash
“The collision involved a single vehicle that collided with a tree and occurred at approximately 11.20pm.”
“The driver of the car, a man aged in his 30s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
“The road is currently closed for examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.”
“Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.”
The statement continued: “Any road users, who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 11pm and 11:30pm last night are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.”
Local police are asking witnesses to come forward
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on 026 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
He became the second young man to perish on the country’s roads within just a matter of hours.
Earlier on Saturday evening, Francis Kelly, 36, had tragically become the Republic’s first road death of 2026 when he lost his life in a three-vehicle collision in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, with that incident occurring around 7pm.
A staggering 190 people tragically lost their lives on Irish roads throughout 2025, marking the most devastating death toll in ten years.