Northern Ireland

Co Down Christmas Eve road victim named by police

34-year-old John Hanna died in a crash in the Ballynahinch area

John Hanna, from Downpatrick, died in a crash in the Ballynahinch area on Tuesday. PICTURE: PSNI
John Hanna, from Downpatrick, died in a crash in the Ballynahinch area on Tuesday. PICTURE: PSNI

A 34-year-old man killed in a Christmas Eve crash in Co Down has been named by police.

John Hanna, from Downpatrick, died in a single-vehicle collision in the Downpatrick Road area of Ballynahinch on Tuesday.

The crash happened shortly before 4.45pm, and involved a grey Volkswagen Polo.

Mr Hanna was pronounced dead at the scene upon the arrival of emergency services, and the road was closed for several hours before reopening to traffic.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Collision Investigation Unit detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the tragic collision, and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

“Please call on 101, quoting reference 967 of 24/12/24.”

Mr Hanna was the 67th person to die on the north’s roads this year, and the third to die in a crash in the space of two days.



His death followed two separate fatal collisions in Co Tyrone and Co Fermanagh on Monday, in which a lorry driver in his 40s, and 20-year-old Co Cavan woman Amy Stokes, were killed.

SDLP Downpatrick councillor Conor Galbraith told the Irish News: “This is a devastating tragedy for the victim’s family, made all the worse by happening on Christmas Eve, when families look forward to spending time with their loved ones.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of all of us in the community are with John’s family as they come to terms with this terrible loss.”