Cyclist dies after being struck by car

GARDAÍ were last night speaking to witnesses of a fatal road traffic accident and subsequent fracas which developed on a street in Thurles, Co Tipperary late on Thursday.

A cyclist, 17-year-old Anthony Doyle, was struck by a car at Abbey Road, close to the landmark Railway Bridge in the town. The teenager later died from his injuries.

It is believed that a number of people who knew the deceased arrived at the scene and gardaí had to intervene to separate them and the man who had been driving the car.

The accident happened shortly before 11pm.

The cyclist was seriously injured and later removed to Our Lady’s Hospital in Cashel where he died from his injuries in the early hours of yesterday morning.

His name was not released for several hours yesterday to allow relatives in Britain to be informed of the tragedy. He was named last night as Anthony Doyle with a last address at Turtulla, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

He has held several other addresses in the past.

It is understood that a man is helping gardaí with their inquiries into the tragedy.

The teenager’s death is the first on Irish roads in 2004 and has stunned the close-knit Thurles community.

Word of the accident spread throughout the town quickly yesterday. Funeral arrangements will be made over the coming days.