Gardaí believe Glen Hansard died after losing control of his motorbike when it struck a soft roadside verge as he made his way home, investigators have said. The 56-year-old Dublin-born singer-songwriter sustained catastrophic injuries when his motorcycle flipped after he lost control in the early hours of Wednesday.
News of the death of the father-of-one from north Dublin emerged at around 9am on Wednesday, leaving Ireland stunned. Specialist Gardaí are now investigating the accident, reports The Irish Mirror.
Crash near Strawberry Beds
The collision happened on Lower Road, Strawberry Beds, Lucan, west Dublin, at around 4.30am. Sources told The Irish Mirror that Gardaí believe the bike hit a soft verge on the road, which made the rider lose control and the vehicle then flipped over.
Gardaí have confirmed Mr Hansard left a pub in the area, the Wren's Nest, when it closed at the normal weekday time of 11.30pm. Video footage emerged shortly after his death showing him attending a session at the pub earlier in the evening. Because the crash occurred at around 4.30am, there is a four-hour period between leaving the pub and the collision.
Investigators tracing missing hours
Investigators are now trying to establish where he was during those four hours. Sources say one possibility is that he may have gone to a hotel in the west Dublin area before planning to head to his home in Celbridge, Co Kildare. They are also set to trace anyone he spoke to after leaving the Wren's Nest.
The investigation is being carried out by specialist Gardaí including Forensic Collision Investigators (FCIs), highly trained accident experts who are likely to spend several weeks compiling a forensic report that could run to hundreds of pages.
No criminal investigation, Garda appeal
There is no criminal investigation into Mr Hansard's death, but the focus is on compiling a file for the coroner and an inquest. Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gardaí said: "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal single-vehicle collision on Lower Road, Strawberry Beds, Lucan, Dublin on Wednesday 29th July 2026.
"Shortly before 4:30am, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a collision involving a motor cycle on the R109 Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill (R121) and Rugged Lane.
"The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later."
The statement added: "Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station at (01) 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
