Two people died and several others have been injured after a crash involving a lorry, bus and car in Co Meath

Gardai at the scene of the collision on Monday morning(Image: Colin Keegan/Collins)

The Bus Eireann driver who was killed in a horrific collision that also claimed the life of a lorry driver has been named locally as Paul Conway.

Mr Conway, who was in his 50s, died when the Route 101 bus he was driving collided with a bus and a car on the R132 in Gormanston, Co Meath at around 6:30am. The three vehicle crash, which saw upwards of 12 people injured in total, took place close to the Huntsman Inn, on a busy stretch of road.

The truck driver, who is understood to work locally, also died at the scene – while the driver of the car was ultimately rushed by emergency services to Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital, where she is fighting for her life in a critical condition. A female teenage passenger in the woman’s car was taken to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, where she is understood to be in a serious condition.

The incident has been met with widespread shock, especially in the wake of last week’s horrific crash in nearby Co Louth, that claimed the lives of five young people.

Recovery vehicles at the scene this evening(Image: Colin Keegan/Collins)

In a statement gardai confirmed that the lorry driver, who was aged in his 40s, died at the scene, as did the bus driver, who was in his 50s.

“A number of people have also been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening at this time,” a garda spokesperson said. It is understood that many of those are passengers who were on the bus at the time.

Forensic Collision Investigators were seen combing the area as the R132 was closed off for much of the day due to the technical examination that needed to take place. The R132 is currently closed pending technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, with local diversions in place.

It comes as Jean O’Sullivan, CEO, Bus Éireann today spoke of the loss of one of their drivers: “We are devastated by this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of our Bus Éireann driver who has sadly lost his life, and with the family and friends of the driver of the other vehicle who also passed away.

Two people died in the collision(Image: Colin Keegan/Collins)

“The loss of a colleague is a shock to everyone across Bus Éireann – our thoughts are very much with our colleague’s family, friends and the many co-workers who are devastated at the loss,” she said.

“Our thoughts are also with the other driver’s family, with our passengers and with the occupants of the third vehicle who have been injured and are receiving care in hospital. At Bus Éireann, safety is our highest priority, and we of course are cooperating with the relevant authorities. We remain committed to supporting all those affected and assisting the authorities in every way we can.”

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan was among those who expressed his shock over the incident saying: “We’ve had a bad 10 days in respect of tragic road accidents. It’s a terribly traumatic event for obviously the families of the people involved. The message has to go out consistently from the Government as we head into Christmas – people need to be as careful as possible as they can be up on the roads.”

His concerns were echoed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, who as a local TD for the area where the crash occurred, also spoke to the shock within her community.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the multi-vehicle collision in Gormanstown, Co Meath this morning. My heart goes out to the families and to the loved ones of the two men who lost their lives. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. This tragedy feels especially heavy coming so soon after the horrific crash that claimed the lives of five young people,” she said.

“Our community is grieving again, far too soon, and the weight of the loss is felt by us all. My thoughts are also with those who were injured and I wish them a full and speedy recovery. I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank the Gardai and all the emergency services who responded with such professionalism and compassion in the face of yet another heartbreaking incident,” she added.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien also said he was “really saddened” to hear of this morning’s “tragic” crash.

Speaking to RTÉ News, he paid tribute to the emergency services and said his thoughts and prayers were with the affected families and communities. “We’re thinking of those who are affected and the communities that are affected. People are genuinely extremely shocked to hear this awful news this morning,” the minister said.

Meanwhile local Councillor Amanda Smith spoke of visiting the devastating scene: “Ive just come from Gormanston, where the tragic accident occurred early this morning. Standing with our community the shock, sadness and disbelief is overwhelming for all. There are no words that are sufficient to console those who have lost a family member, those who have been injured and all of those affected by the tragedy.

“Our thanks must go to those who attended the scene, those who are trained to do so and those who volunteered when the need arose. My personal thanks to you. My sincere condolences go out to all the families affected. May they rest in peace.”

Speaking to this paper local TD Darren O’Rourke spoke to the fact that the two men who died were just out doing their jobs when tragedy struck.

“Two men going to work who won’t be coming home. It is a devastating loss. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends and to wish the many people who were injured a speedy recovery. They’re all in our thoughts and prayers. It’s just a devastating tragedy in the run up to Christmas,” he said.

The local Gormanstown Community Association put out its own statement saying that “we are all deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible accident that occurred in Gormanston this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families impacted by this mornings tragedy.”

Meath County Council also extended its sympathies to those involved in the crash. “The Council would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the grieving families and friends of the deceased, and our thoughts also remain with the injured and anyone impacted by this tragedy.”

The Council also acknowledged the work of the Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service and all first responders to the “devastating event”. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were traveling on the R132, at Gormanstown, Co. Meath, between 5.45am and 6.45am this morning, Monday 24th November 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on (01) 801 0600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

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