Ireland Gardaí investigate road traffic collision and criminal damage in Portarlington
On 5 September 2026 at approximately 9:30pm, a car travelling from the Canal Road crossed the T-junction with the Portlaoise Road and crashed through the boundary fencing of Catherine McCann's home at Blackhall Bridge, Portarlington, Laois. The 80-year-old woman's fence, electrical wires, and a metal road sign were torn down. A friend of the driver pulled the car out with a rope and they left the scene shortly after. Gardaí investigations into the road traffic collision and criminal damage are ongoing.
- Reported4 Nov
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A car travelling from the Canal Road crossed the T-junction with the Portlaoise Road and crashed through the boundary fencing of Catherine McCann's home at Blackhall Bridge, Portarlington.
- The fence, electrical wires, and a metal road sign constructed by Laois County Council were torn down.
- A friend of the driver pulled the car out with a rope and they left the scene shortly after.
- A neighbour heard the crash and arrived first at the scene, and emergency services also attended.
- When
- The incident occurred on 5 September 2026 at approximately 9:30pm.
- Where
- Blackhall Bridge junction, Portarlington, Laois.
- Investigation
- Gardaí investigations into the road traffic collision and criminal damage are ongoing.
- Other details
- The speed limit on the Canal Road is 80kmph.
- Portarlington Cllr Aidan Mullins raised the issue at the October meeting of Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District.
- The council is considering line marking improvements and additional signage and will apply to the Department of Transport for funding for a road safety scheme.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA car travelling from the Canal Road crossed the T-junction intersection with the Portlaoise Road and crashed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe fence, electrical wires, and a metal road sign constructed by Laois County Council were torn down. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA neighbour heard the crash and arrived first at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA friend of the driver pulled the car out with a rope and they left shortly after. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatEmergency services attended the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe speed limit on the Canal Road is 80kmph. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatPortarlington Cllr Aidan Mullins met with council staff at the junction and raised the issue at the October meeting of Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe council is considering line marking improvements and additional standard and digital signage. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe council will make an application to the Department of Transport to secure funding for a road safety scheme. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 5 September 2026 at approximately 9:30pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí investigations are ongoing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Nov2026Car crashed through fence of Laois resident's home
Article details the collision, the resident's long history of incidents at the junction, and the council's response including review of traffic-calming measures and a planned application to the Department of Transport for funding.
victim, Catherine McCann, 80, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine McCannsuspect, male
Changed after publication
facts outlets added, removed or correctedleinsterexpress.ie, 4 Nov 2026, 15:38: Car crashed through fence of Laois resident's home
- CorrectedMs McCann's quote was corrected to remove the word 'collision' (was This collision is the most recent incident in a long history of collisions, near misses. and dangerous driving at the Canal Road / Portlaoise Road junction, Ms McCann says., now This is the most recent incident in a long history of collisions, near misses, and dangerous driving at the Canal Road / Portlaoise Road junction, Ms McCann says.)