World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims

A number of events are set to take place, north and south, today to mark the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims.

The third Sunday in November has been designated World Remembrance Day by the United Nations in recognition of road traffic victims and to support their families.

To date this year, 161 people have died on Irish roads, ten more than the same period in 2025, according to garda statistics.

A national memorial ceremony, hosted by the Irish Road Victims Association will take place in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, at noon.

The Road Safety Authority Chief Executive Sam Waide and Minister of State for Transport Sean Canney are expected to attend alongside frontline services and bereaved families.

Minister Canney said he wished to offer his heartfelt sympathy, to everyone who has lost a loved one on the roads, adding "no words can take away that loss".

He said: "It is important that we listen with care and respect when victims, survivors and bereaved families choose to share their experiences.

"Those experiences deserve to be heard in their own right, but also for what they can teach us about road safety," he said.

Mr Canney described the increase in road deaths this year compared with the same period last year as "a matter of deep concern".

He said the Government was committed to redoubling efforts to reducing road deaths, adding that they aim to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and work towards Vision Zero by 2050.

A number of other remembrance events are set to take place from Derry to Dundalk and Cork to Gort an Choirce.

A remembrance event will also take place in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny and a service will take place in the Augustinian Church in Drogheda.

Remembrance masses are set to take place at the North Cathedral, Cork City, Teach Pobail Chríost Rí, Gort an Choirce, and Knock Basilica, Co Mayo.

This evening, Kerry County Council has asked the public and community to 'Shine a Light' in their porch or window in memory of those who have died.

The Guildhall Square in Derry will host a ‘Walk In My Shoes exhibition’ from 10am to 6pm, an initiative of Road Victim Support Northern Ireland Donegal [RVSNID].

The exhibition will feature pairs of shoes, representing lives lost on the roads. Visitors will be invited to scan QR codes, to hear the lived experiences of bereaved families.

The event, led by those who lost loved ones, aims to create a space for remembrance, reflection and a greater understanding of the impact of losing a loved one on the road.

RVSNID Secretary Keria Logan told RTÉ News that the 'walk in my shoes', concept was discussed regularly at the groups monthly support meetings.

This evening at the Everglades Hotel, the group will launch 'say their name', a campaign that reminds the public that lives lost in road collisions are not just statistics.

Ms Logan said the question was also discussed, in that families, wished to highlight that their loved ones are "not just a number".

"Statistics are important, yes, but we have to remember that there's a human element behind these numbers. it's really important to remember the individual," Ms Logan said.

"Behind the numbers is a person, that had ambitions, a family, friends and a community," she said, as she alluded to the ripple effect of fatal road traffic accidents.

Ms Logan, who lost her nephew 17-year-old Keelan Mullan in a road collision in 2013, became involved with the charity to support her sister and added that it helped her too.

"Whenever we speak about Keelan; we remember a time, a story or find photographs that we have forgotten about or didn't know that existed.

"Sometimes it’s not always about the words. Sometimes it’s a matter of showing up for people, quietly holding a hand.

"Whenever, there’s an opportunity for words, please, do say their name. Our families don’t want their loved ones to be forgotten," she added.