Family mourns second death as man knocked down yards from home

Tributes have been paid to a man described as "one of life's gentlemen" who was knocked down and killed just yards from his home.

The victim, named locally as Vincent Ryan, 44, collided with a silver Ford Focus saloon as he crossed Main Street in Hospital, Co Limerick, at approximately 2.10am this morning.

Locals described Mr Ryan as an "inoffensive man" who had been left with a limp following a car crash several years ago, in which he also lost one of his eyes.

Neighbours were stunned as they awoke to find the grim scene outside their homes and businesses in the town. The sight of Mr Ryan's shoes at the scene left friends numb.

A post mortem will take place at University Hospital Limerick.

It is the second tragedy to rock the family in as many years as Mr Ryan's mother suddenly passed away two years ago. Locals said he would make several visits to her grave everyday since. His brother John, who is currently on holidays in Tenerife, was making efforts to arrange emergency transport home.

"He was a genuine, lovely young man. His brother is out on holidays in Tenerife, just to add to the family's grief," said a local man.

"It's terrible. Christ almighty, he was such an inoffensive chap. He used to go to his mother's grave a lot, maybe six or seven times a day. He missed her terribly. It's absolutely shocking," the man added.

Mr Ryan, of Bank Place in the town, worked part time in O'Neill's hardware shop, which overlooked the grizzly scene. A woman at the shop said: "His mam died a couple of years ago, he was very close to her. He lived with his father, just across the road there."

Mr Ryan is survived by his father Vincent Snr and five siblings. Locals said one of his former neighbours was knocked down in the same spot.

Rita O'Brien nee O'Farrell died in hospital three weeks after colliding with a vehicle in November 2004.

Locals said they had concerns about street lighting in the area.

"That's the second (fatality) in the same spot. The light is bad in that area. It would be a concern. It's not the most brightly-lit area," remarked one man.

Gardaí believe Mr Ryan's death was a tragic accident and that he may have fallen out in front of the oncoming car, however their investigations were ongoing.

The Main Street remained closed for several hours, and the 06-C registered Ford Focus remained at the collision site while Garda forensic collision investigators, who are based in Cork, travelled to carry out a forensic examination of the scene.

Gardaí said: "No other persons were injured."

"Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact Bruff Garda Station on 061-382940 the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111 or any Garda Station," they added.