Steve Wall Calls for Road Safety Improvements Following Niece’s Death

Musician Steve Wall, of The Stunning and The Walls, is renewing calls for improved road safety measures on the N85 in County Clare, Ireland, following a near-miss incident that mirrored the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of his niece, Estlin Wall, in 2017.

The 2017 Tragedy

On March 15, 2017, three-year-old Estlin Wall died after a collision in Inagh, Co Clare. Her father, Vincent Wall, was driving her to creche when he had to swerve to avoid a truck that had pulled out from behind a bus, resulting in a collision with oncoming traffic. Estlin sustained traumatic brain and neck injuries and passed away days later. Vincent Wall suffered a serious brain injury and was placed in a coma, missing his daughter’s funeral and remaining unaware of her death for weeks.

The truck driver, Senan O’Flaherty, was initially fined €1,500 and given a four-year driving ban. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed the decision and O’Flaherty later received a 16-month suspended sentence, with his license restored a year early.

A Hauntingly Familiar Incident

Recently, Wall experienced a similar harrowing situation while driving on the N85 between Ennis and Ennistymon. He recounted encountering an oncoming van attempting to overtake a line of traffic, forcing him to brake and veer towards the verge to avoid a collision. The van driver narrowly avoided impact.

“I have to admit, I gave him the fingers and he actually waved as if to say ‘sorry’. I was shaken by the absolute insanity of what had happened. He was overtaking on a blind spot. I wish I had a dashcam. I’m seriously thinking of getting one,” Wall stated, as reported by The Irish Times.

Calls for Road Safety Improvements

Wall is now urging Clare County Council to implement road safety measures on the N85, particularly concerning overtaking. He expressed outrage over reports that the council was prioritizing infrastructure improvements for upcoming golf tournaments over safety enhancements for local road users.

“I was furious when I heard reports that Clare County Council was investing in infrastructure measures to make Clare pretty for the golfers and the tourists. They need to put measures in place to keep Clare safe for the locals and the daily road users,” Wall said. He highlighted the lack of additional signage warning against overtaking since Estlin’s death.

Wall pointed to the high volume of traffic, including up to 130 coaches daily during peak season, and the lack of safe areas for slower vehicles to pull over, contributing to dangerous overtaking maneuvers. He emphasized that the issue isn’t always about excessive speed, but also about slower-moving vehicles creating hazardous situations.

A Family’s Enduring Grief

The tragic loss of Estlin deeply impacted Wall’s family, particularly his mother, Patricia Wall, who, according to RSVP Live, passed away from a broken heart following the incident. As of March 15, 2026, it will be nine years since Estlin’s death, and Wall feels little has changed regarding road safety, the legal system, or driver behavior.

In a statement, Clare County Council explained that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has overall responsibility for national roads like the N85 and is currently looking to progress a scheme at Kilnamona to realign the road, but funding has not yet been secured. The council also stated that illegal driver behavior should be reported to An Garda Síochána.