Former Kerry footballer Seán O’Leary has described how a driver’s decision to overtake on the wrong side of a bend left him with life-changing injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Speaking at a Road Safety Authority conference in Dublin, O’Leary said the collision near Abbeyfeale in 2021 showed how a brief moment of reckless driving can affect victims, families and communities for years.
Former Kerry footballer shares road safety warning
O’Leary, now 27, was travelling home from a match with his girlfriend Emma O’Connor on July 10th, 2021, when their car was struck near the Limerick-Kerry border. Another driver had overtaken traffic while approaching a bend on the wrong side of the road.
The impact left O’Leary unconscious for approximately 15 minutes. When he regained consciousness, he was in severe pain and saw that his right femur had broken through his leg. O’Connor believed he had died in the crash.
Emergency services brought him to University Hospital Kerry in Tralee, where he was resuscitated. His injuries included fractures to both femurs, his right tibia and fibula, sternum damage and a serious concussion.
- The collision happened near Abbeyfeale in July 2021.
- O’Leary spent four months in a wheelchair.
- He underwent several operations, including the insertion of titanium rods in both legs.
- The injuries ended his inter-county football career.
- He later developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
Recovery involved years of physical and psychological rehabilitation
O’Leary said his recovery was a prolonged physical and emotional process. He and O’Connor travelled throughout Ireland to work with rehabilitation specialists, medical professionals and psychological support services while trying to rebuild their lives.
The former All-Ireland minor football winner said the crash caused consequences not only for him and his partner, but also for their relatives and loved ones. Although both survived, he cautioned against describing victims of serious collisions simply as “lucky”.
“Lucky” does not capture the long-term reality faced by people who are injured in crashes they did not cause, he said. His public testimony is intended to prevent another family from experiencing a similar ordeal.
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Dangerous driving conviction followed 2021 crash
The driver involved, Michael Harty, had previously been convicted of speeding. He pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, but a jury found him guilty.
In 2024, he received a four-year prison sentence, with the final year suspended, and was disqualified from driving. O’Leary said the conviction and driving ban mattered because dangerous driving must carry accountability. However, he stressed that a court outcome cannot reverse the physical and psychological damage caused by the collision.
RSA research highlights late-night risks for young drivers
O’Leary spoke at the RSA’s annual conference in Dublin, which focused on young driver risk. The event also addressed concerns about dangerous behaviour, including wrong-way driving and the recording of risky driving for social media.
Research presented by the RSA found that late evening and early morning hours are particularly dangerous for young drivers involved in fatal collisions in the Republic of Ireland.
- Between 2021 and 2025, 189 drivers aged 17 to 25 were involved in 178 fatal crashes.
- Those drivers represented 19 per cent of all drivers involved in fatal collisions during the period.
- Almost one-third of fatal crashes involving a young driver occurred between 8pm and midnight.
- A further 21 per cent happened between midnight and 4am.
- Of the 189 young drivers, 156 were male.
RSA chief executive Sam Waide said the figures show that young drivers are over-represented in fatal collisions compared with their share of the driving population. He identified late-night driving and the high number of young men involved as areas requiring continued education, enforcement and prevention measures.
Recent motorway tragedy intensifies road safety concerns
Minister of State with responsibility for road safety Seán Canney also addressed the conference. He referred to the fatal M9 motorway collision in August, in which five teenagers travelling in a car going the wrong way died. Three women and a child in another vehicle were seriously injured.
The crash drew attention to reports of young people filming themselves driving against the direction of traffic and sharing footage online. Canney said the incident demonstrated the severe consequences that can follow a moment of dangerous decision-making.
He said no online activity or moment of distraction is worth placing another person’s life at risk. The Government is also considering measures involving learner permits, e-bikes, scramblers and road safety education aimed at young drivers.
What happens next for road safety in Ireland?
The RSA conference placed renewed focus on prevention. For motorists, the central message is straightforward: overtaking on a bend, driving while distracted or taking risks late at night can create consequences that last for decades.
Drivers can reduce risk by:
- Never overtaking unless the road ahead is clearly visible and the manoeuvre is legal.
- Slowing down on bends, at junctions and in poor conditions.
- Keeping phones and recording devices out of reach while driving.
- Taking extra care during late-night and early-morning journeys.
- Speaking up when a passenger or driver proposes dangerous behaviour.
Road safety policy will continue to be shaped by collision data, Garda enforcement, driver education and the experiences of survivors such as O’Leary.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Seán O’Leary’s crash happen?
The collision happened near Abbeyfeale, close to the Limerick-Kerry border, while O’Leary and Emma O’Connor were travelling home from a match.
What injuries did O’Leary suffer?
He sustained fractures to both femurs, his right tibia and fibula, a fractured sternum and a significant concussion. He also developed PTSD.
What sentence did the other driver receive?
Michael Harty was found guilty of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and was jailed for four years, with the final year suspended, in 2024. He was also banned from driving.
What did the RSA research show?
The RSA found that late-night and early-morning periods were strongly represented among fatal crashes involving drivers aged 17 to 25 between 2021 and 2025.
Conclusion: a lasting warning for every Irish driver
Seán O’Leary’s account is a powerful reminder that Breaking News Ireland is not only about the moment a crash occurs. The consequences can include years of surgery, rehabilitation, trauma and lost opportunities for people who were simply making an ordinary journey.
His message from the RSA conference is clear: a few seconds of reckless driving can permanently change several lives. Safer decisions behind the wheel remain one of the most direct ways to prevent the next tragedy.
