LATEST: Volunteer emergency responders sent to 14 incidents in Kildare in 2026 so far
CRITICAL, headquartered in Limerick, has more than 300 volunteer responders nationwide
Road traffic collisions accounted for more than half of all trauma callouts attended by volunteer emergency responders in the first six months of 2026, with 14 incidents attended in Kildare during the period.
Figures released by CRITICAL, Ireland's leading voluntary emergency response organisation, show its volunteers responded to 1,317 life-threatening incidents nationwide between January and June - more than double the 591 callouts recorded during the same period last year.
In Kildare, volunteers attended 14 emergency incidents, while neighbouring Dublin recorded 285 callouts and Wicklow 50.
Of the 408 incidents attended by CRITICAL's volunteer doctors, 250 were trauma callouts, including 130 involving road traffic collisions. The charity is now urging motorists across Kildare and the rest of the country to take extra care ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend, traditionally one of the busiest periods on Irish roads.
Dr Gerry Lane, a volunteer doctor with CRITICAL, said many of the most serious collisions leave survivors with catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
"There has been an increase in fatalities on our roads this year but we don't always hear about the catastrophic injuries people are suffering," he said.
He urged motorists to recognise the dangers posed by vehicles and to take greater responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel.
Dr Mark Ruddy, CRITICAL's Medical Director, said every serious collision has a devastating impact on victims, their families and emergency service personnel.
He also warned that volunteers respond to increasing numbers of drownings and near-drownings during the summer months, many of which are preventable.
"As people travel and spend more time outdoors this weekend, I would urge everyone to slow down on the roads, avoid distractions, never drive under the influence of drink or drugs, and take care around water," he said.
CRITICAL, headquartered in Limerick, has more than 300 volunteer responders nationwide, including doctors, Community First Responders, off-duty paramedics and emergency medical technicians who are alerted by the National Ambulance Service to life-threatening emergencies in their local communities.