Tributes paid to gifted musician killed in Louth crash

Tributes have been paid to the latest victim of a road fatality on Louth roads, following the death of a man in his 30s in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The death of Chris Bradley, a married father of two, who was a self employed drummer from Desertmartin, Co Derry, brings to seven, the number of people killed on roads in the Louth Garda Division since the beginning of the year.

Mr Bradley was returning home with two other band members, Bob Hunt and Jerome McBride, after performing with Declan Nerney at a dance in Tougher’s of Naas, Co Kildare, on Friday night. 

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the fatal road traffic collision on the M1 Northbound between Junctions 12 & 14 at Mooremont, Co Louth on the morning of Saturday 14 October.

The collision occurred at approximately 2am and involved a tractor and car. Mr Bradley, who was a passenger of the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gardaí say that a technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators would be conducted.

The two other occupants of the car, Mr Hunt and Mr McBride, were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.

Mr Bradley, along with his two band mates, were musicians in Irish Country Music star, Declan Nerney's band. Declan Nerney, paid tribute to Mr Bradley at the weekend, saying on social media that:

“Chris was a magnificent drummer and above all that an even better colleague and friend. He was the life and soul of the party, always lit up a room with his great sense of humour and a powerful legion of fans.

“While we are all so devastated by this sad news we must keep his heartbroken wife Gabrielle, two children - Darcey and Brogan, Parents, siblings and extended family members in our thoughts and prayers. May god give them the strength to get them through the dark days ahead.

“We must also keep our other two band members Bob and Jerome who were also involved in this horrific accident in our thoughts and prayers and wish them a speedy recovery.”

Tributes for Mr Bradley poured in from across the Irish Country Music sphere through social media at the weekend.
Philomena Begley said on Saturday that, “some days there are no words and today is one of those days for all of us in the country music scene.

“In the early hours of this morning a very talented and gifted young man lost his life in a road traffic collision. Christopher Bradley was a young man who had a kind word for everyone.

“I can only imagine the pain, the suffering and the shock and sadness that his wife Gabrielle and their beautiful kids Darcey and Brogan, his mum and dad Mario and Monica and his siblings Liam, Fiona, Dermot and Laura, his mother in law and father in law Gabriel and Donna McGilligan and all his family and many friends are experiencing this evening. I want to extend my sympathy also to my good friend Declan Nerney and all the band and team on such a tragic loss.

“Christopher backed me on the drums on many occasions and we had great fun and I have great memories of a beautiful and kind young man which I will hold dearly in my heart.”

Daniel O'Donnell said that “It is with shock and sadness that I learned of the tragic death of Chris Bradley. “My deepest sympathy to his wife, children and all his family.

“Also to Declan Nerney and all his band. Thinking especially of Jerome and Bob and please God they will fully recover from their injuries. May god help them all at this very sad time.”

Mr Bradley's death at the weekend, was the seventh in Louth so far this year, according to An Garda Síochána, who add that the figure is provisional and subject to change.

It also brings to 151, as of 16 October, the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year. It is up from 116 last year, and from 110 on 2019.

Gardaí in Drogheda are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision on Saturday to contact them. Any road users who were travelling on the M1 between Junctions 12 & 14, during the hours of 1:30am and 2:10am, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Street Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.