BREAKING: Wife of Tipperary car crash victim expecting baby on Christmas Eve

Three families lost loved ones in an horrific weekend on Tipperary’s roads during which a teenager and two young men died in two traffic accidents at Ballinunty and Clonmel.

READ NEXT: Tipperary country music singer ends up in A&E as she issues update to fans

David Lahart, aged 18 from No. 7 Castlequarter, Killenaule, and Gediminas Urbonas, aged 21, from 1 Abbot Court, Holycross were killed in a four-vehicle collision on a local road at Killeen, Ballinunty shortly before 6pm last Saturday.

Two young women, both aged in their 20s, travelling in a second car were hospitalised with non-life threatening injuries.
Six other people involved in the accident were medically assessed at the scene but did not require immediate hospital treatment.

Meanwhile, just hours later a man, aged in his 30s, died in a two-vehicle collision that took place on the N24 Frank Drohan Inner Relief Road between the Cahir and Cashel Roundabouts in Clonmel.

The accident occurred at 1.10am on Sunday.

The deceased has been named locally as Julio Bettin, who was from Brazil.

His wife is due to give birth on December 24.

Mr Bettin was driving the car he was travelling in and a male passenger sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle was also injured.

The road at Killeen, Ballinunty and the N24 Frank Drohan Inner Relief Road in Clonmel from the Cahir Road Roundabout to the Heywood Road Junction were closed for a period after the two tragedies and diversions were in place while Garda Forensic Collision Investigators examined the accident scenes.

Gardaí investigating both fatal accidents have appealed to anyone who witnessed them to contact Clonmel Garda Station at (052) 6177640, Thurles Garda Station at (0504) 25100 or the Garda Confidential Line at Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

They are also appealing to any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time to make it available to them.

‘Our hearts are heavy after a tragic weekend’

Tributes have been paid to the two young men tragically killed in the four-vehicle collision in Ballinunty on Saturday evening.
The death of David Lahart has been greeted with deep shock and sadness in his hometown of Killenaule.

He will be laid to rest on Wednesday after Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church in Killenaule.

Several local events such as the Killenaule Community Play Group raffle and bake sale and Killenaule GAA Bingo were cancelled over the past few days as a mark of respect.

READ NEXT: Two young men killed - and many more injured - in shocking Tipperary crash

David was son of Paudie Lahart and Ashling Morris and was a nephew of Tipperary GAA County Board Treasurer, Eleanor Lahart.

He is also survived by his siblings Megan, Rachel, Alex, Amber and Leah, his special nephew Jayden, stepmom Jacinta, loving grandparents Ned and Christine, aunts, uncles, cousins and a wide circle of friends.

As a mark of respect to his grieving family, the Tipperary GAA County Board Convention due to take place on Sunday was postponed as was the Under 21B South Football Final between Killenaule and Knockmealdown Gaels that was due to take place in Kilsheelan on Sunday morning.

Tipperary GAA extended its “heartfelt and sincere sympathies” to the families of those who lost their lives in Tipperary at the weekend.

“In particular our thoughts are with County Board Treasurer Eleanor Lahart and her family at this very sad and difficult time,” the organisation added.

Fianna Fáil Senator Imelda Goldsboro, from Ballingarry, extended her deepest condolences to the families of the late David Lahart and the late Gediminus Urbonas and said her “heart went out to them”. She said the coming days will be very difficult for their families, friends and local communities.

Senator Goldsboro wished a full recovery to the two young women hospitalised with injuries suffered in the Ballinunty crash and paid tribute to the emergency services personnel who worked at the scene of the awful tragedy.

She said her thoughts were with all the “hurting, angry and grieving” young people who knew and were friends of the accident victims.

Cllr Michael “Chicken” Brennan from Killenaule also expressed deepest sympathy to the families of the two deceased and spoke of the devastation felt in his hometown at the death of David Lahart.

Like Senator Goldsboro, he knows the Lahart family and grew up with David’s father Paudie.

Cllr Brennan said what had started out as a nice weekend for Killenaule with the local footballers due to play a final and other events planned ahead of Christmas, had turned into a very sad and tragic time.

He remembered David as a “very friendly, very outgoing and very mannerly” young man with a bright future ahead of him.

He said David worked with a tyre company and was due to start a new job in Clonmel in the new year.

‘Our hearts are heavy’

Killenaule GAA Club said it mourned the loss of its past player David Lahart.

“Our hearts are heavy after a tragic weekend that saw young lives lost on our roads far too soon,” the club said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

“As a community, we stand together in solidarity with his family, friends and former teammates, taking this time to remember and reflect.”

‘Most Loving Soul’

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe fundraising campaign has been set up to fundraise to help the family of Gediminas Urbonas cover the costs of his funeral, which takes place in Kennedy’s Funeral Home in Thurles this evening (Wednesday, December 17) and Holycross Abbey at 11.30am on Thursday.

The GoFundMe appeal has been set up by his older sister Saulena Urbonaite.

She wrote in her introduction to the appeal that her family are “extremely heartbroken and are mourning the loss of the most loving soul”.

“My brother, may you get the best bed in heaven. We love you so much,” she said.

Ms Urbonaite said the funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be used to help cover the costs of her brother’s funeral.

Gediminas, who was known to family and friends as Ged, is also survived by his parents Jolanta and Saulius, aunt Zaneta, cousin Ridas, other members of his loving family and a wide circle of friends. 
GoFundMe appeal

Friends of the late Julio Bettin, who died in the Clonmel traffic accident, have also started a GoFundMe page to help meet funeral expenses.

It is understood the deceased had only been living in Ireland for a short while. He lived in the Knocklofty area outside of Clonmel.

“We are heartbroken to be raising funds for the funeral and urgent expenses of our dear friend Julio Bettin, who tragically passed away in a car accident on Sunday, December 14,” wrote Guadalupe Garcia, who set up the GoFundMe appeal.

“Julio leaves behind his wife and children, including a baby he was so excited to welcome, as his wife is due to give birth on December 24.

“Having only recently arrived from Brazil, Julio was the sole provider for his family, and his sudden passing has left them facing unimaginable grief and financial hardship,” the message continued.

“Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to his family during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”

Mayor of Clonmel extends condolences

The Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Pat English, extended his sympathy to Mr Bettin’s family and friends.

“I would like to extend my sympathies to his family and friends,” said the Mayor who reiterated his call for an outer relief road to be provided in Clonmel.

“The volume of traffic on the Clonmel bypass is increasing all of the time and the town needs an outer relief road,” insisted Cllr English. 

Cllr Richie Molloy extended sincere sympathies to all the families involved in the horrific accidents that occurred in Tipperary over the weekend and appealed to everyone using the roads over Christmas to take care.

The Independent Clonmel councillor also wished to highlight the need for a motorway to relieve the enormous pressure that is currently on the N24 Frank Drohan Inner Relief Road and welcomed the fact that the proposed motorway is now back on the plans again.

Cllr Molloy went on to say that there is  a great need for a roundabout at the end of the Heywood Road/N24 in Clonmel and is calling on the Minister for Transport to make this one of his top priorities of 2026.

GARDA APPEAL

Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period which began on Monday, December 1 and will continue until Monday, January 5.

“The Christmas period is one of the busiest on Irish roads. It is also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision”, said gardaí.

“An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over Christmas to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.

“Anyone who is out socialising over the festive period is asked to please plan ahead for your journey.

“Leave the car at home. Use taxis and public transport where possible to get home and avoid driving the following morning while still under the influence.

“Members of An Garda Síochána are out day and night across the country as part of our enforcement campaign and will intercept drivers who are putting their lives and the lives of others at risk,” the garda spokesperson added.