Tributes flood in for Kildare dad named as man killed in horror M7 road crash

A 27-year-old father of two has been named as the man killed in the tragic road crash on the M7 motorway near Newbridge on New Year's Day.

Keith Higginbotham was a passenger in a car that left the road and struck a grass verge between junction 12 Newbridge and 13 Kildare on the M7 around 8.45pm on Monday. 

Keith, known affectionately as Higgy, of Copperbeech House, Blackditch, Nurney, Co Kildare, was the beloved son of the late Theresa and is sadly missed by his heartbroken family, daughters Lauryn and Cali, his father Tommy, nanny Maureen, brothers Andrew, Derek, David and Christopher, partner Lauren, sisters-in-law Rose, Martina, Niamh and Karen, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family, relatives and friends, his RIP.ie death notice reads.

Family and friends have been paying tributes to Keith who becomes the first fatality of Irish roads in 2024.

"Rip Higgy lad, fly high In heaven. I hope you get the best bed up there in heaven. My condolences to the families and friends," one friend said.

Another wrote: "Heartbreaking news, you were a sound fella. Will miss the craic we used to have and the chats we used to have on Snapchat, pity we never got around to that meet up. Rest in peace man."

A third added: "Sincere sympathy to Keith's extended family on his tragic passing. He is so young to be deceased
and now forever young. May Keith Rest in Eternal Peace. Go suífidh sé ar dheis lámh Dé anois gan aon trioblóid arís."

The tributes come as news emerges of another fatal crash in Co Kildare on Tuesday.

A woman in her 40s died and two children were seriously injured in a crash involving a car and a van on the R148 at Cloncurry, between Kilcock and Enfield, Co Kildare at around 6:15pm on Tuesday, January 2.

The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene, gardai confirmed.

Two young children who were also travelling in this vehicle have been taken to Children's Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin where their conditions are currently described as serious but stable. 
 
The male driver of the van was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.