Two cars written off in one area in Offaly after collisions with deer

TWO cars were recently written off after they struck deer near Cloghan.

Cllr Clare Claffey told the February meeting of Birr Municipal District that the deer suddenly ran out in front of the cars and the drivers had no chance of taking evasive action.

“The deer were killed by the collisions,” she pointed out, “and both cars were written off.

“One of the cars was being driven by a woman, who was with her child, and she was emotionally shaken by the incident.

“Thankfully no one was injured in the two accidents.”

Cllr Claffey said the accidents happened on the R357 road running east from Cloghan towards Lumcloon Cross.

“The accidents happened near where new wind turbines are being built,” she remarked, “and I am wondering if the construction work has moved the deer out a bit? Perhaps the National Parks and Wildlife Service might be able to tell us?

“We need to place warning signs on the road, alerting motorists.”

The Irish Deer Commission recently pointed out that restrictions around the management of deer numbers during Covid, along with a worldwide crash in venison prices and increasing afforestation in Ireland have led to a big increase of deer numbers in Ireland.