The mother of world famous singer Shane MacGowan has been killed in a single vehicle collision.

Therese MacGowan died today when the car she was driving struck a wall in Co Tipperary.

The mother, who is aged in her 80s, was the only occupant of the car. Her death is the first Irish road death of 2017.

Gardai in Nenagh are investigating. The incident happened in Ballintoher, Nenagh, Co Tipperary at 3pm today.

Therese and her husband lived in the village of Silvermines, Co Tipperary.

Locals in the area were left reeling at the death this evening.

“They were very private people. It is a very sad start for all here and Shane’s family,” a local said.

Therese is from Tipperary while her husband, Maurice MacGowan, is from Dublin. The couple met in Dublin and moved to England where Shane was born in Kent in 1957. They returned home to Tipperary where the Pogues star Shane spent much of his childhood growing up.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067-50450, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

There was 187 people killed on Irish roads last year and 162 in 2015.

Online Editors