William Astley (31) was travelling along the R738 between Taghmon and Larkin’s Cross when his motorcycle was involved in a single-vehicle crash at Growtown Upper, Barntown, at around 6.20 a.m. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
A newlywed, William had only tied the knot with his beloved wife Chloe Cullen exactly four months previously, having been together for six years.
Following a ceremony and reception at The Talbot Hotel, William posted on social media at the time: “I can’t believe that I not only married my best friend, but my soul mate.”
He had been working in the construction of the new €230 million customs and border control facility at Rosslare Europort, where he was well-liked and well-thought of by his colleagues.
The scene of the road traffic accident on the R738 road from Larkin’s Cross to Taghmon at Growtown, Taghmon in Wexford. INSET: the late William Astley. Pic: Jim Campbell
Today’s News in 90 seconds – Monday, December 1st 2025
A former student at Bridgetown College, his old teacher and local councillor Jim Codd was devastated by the news.
“I’m absolutely shook,” he said, having recently been made aware of the news.
“I taught William years ago and we stayed in touch a little bit after he finished school. I’d end up meeting him out and about every few weeks and we’d always have a bit of a chat.
“He loved his motorbikes and did all the charity bike runs and that type of thing locally. He was a lovely, kind-hearted fella.
“I only met him a couple of weeks ago when we were down in Rosslare for the ribbon-cutting on the new customs facilities there. He shouted over to me with a big grin, ‘Jim, why don’t you get a photo with a real hard-working man!’ So, I did.”
Cllr Codd had the unenviable task of breaking the news to the rest of William’s former teachers in the staffroom at Bridgetown College.
“Everyone is just devastated by the news,” he said. “There’s a lot of upset people here. My heart is broken for poor Chloe and the rest of William’s family. He was always such a pleasant and good-humoured fella. He was a joy to meet and was always up for a laugh.
“I’m just in shock. The whole community down this way is devastated.”
The R738 road from Larkin’s Cross to Taghmon in Wexford was closed due to a fatal motorcyle accident on Monday morning. Pic: Jim Campbell
Gardaí closed the R738 where the accident occurred for the morning on Monday to allow for a full technical examination from Garda forensic collision investigators.
An appeal was also launched for any witnesses to this tragic incident to come forward to gardaí.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 6. am and 6.30 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí,” a statement said.
“Anyone with any information should contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 9165200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.