Tributes to much-loved minibus driver and rugby player who died in Limerick collision

Father of one Darren Ryan, who has been remembered as an 'outstanding' rugby player, died after his minibus collided with a bridge last Sunday

Darren Ryan's funeral mass will take place at 11am on Thursday, at St John the Baptist Church, Meelick, followed by burial in Ballycannon Cemetery. Picture: Facebook

Funeral arrangements have been announced for a much-loved father of one who died when his minibus collided with a bridge close to the Limerick-Clare border last Sunday.

Darren Ryan died after his minibus collided with Athlunkard Bridge on the R463 at around 2.55am last Sunday. Mr Ryan was the sole occupant in the bus and no other vehicle was involved, gardaí said.

Henry Street gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with video/dash cam footage that may assist their investigation into the circumstances of the fatal collision to contact them.

An inquest will be held at a later date at Limerick Coroner’s Court.

Mr Ryan was a well-known bus contractor from Meelick, Co. Clare, and has been remembered as an "outstanding" rugby player. He played rugby with his triplet brothers at St Munchins College and Young Munster RFC.

His sister, Dawn, was selected as the Limerick Rose in 2014, and his father Ray was a former Irish international U20 rugby player who also lined out with Young Munster.

Mr Ryan's remains will repose in McMahon’s funeral home, Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, from 5pm to 8pm Wednesday. His funeral mass will take place at 11am on Thursday, at St John the Baptist Church, Meelick, followed by burial in Ballycannon Cemetery.

The scene of the collision at Athlunkard Bridge.

A tribute released by Young Munster read: “Everyone in Young Munster RFC is shocked and saddened [at] the sudden loss of former player Darren Ryan. Our immediate thoughts are with the Ryan family—in particular his parents Ray and Trish and siblings Evan, Gavin and Dawn and his son Raemie who Darren adored.

“The Ryan family have a long tradition of playing with Young Munster. Darren, a back row forward, began playing underage with the club and schools rugby with St Munchins College from where he went on to be part of our senior squad from 2013–2018 having played in the All Ireland league semi-final in 2017 against Clontarf FC and also played on the winning Munster Junior Cup team in 2016 versus Cork Constitution FC.

“Darren’s triplet brothers Evan & Gavin were also part of the Young Munster squads during this time and his dad Ray was second row in the famous Young Munster All-Ireland winning league team in 1993.

Darren was an outstanding player whose character lit up the dressing room. He will be remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure of playing with and coaching him, he will be sorely missed by all in Young Munster and the wider rugby community.

Mr Ryan also represented Kilfeacle RFC and Garryowen FC in later years.

Garryowen RFC said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Ryan’s death.

“Darren was a larger-than-life character who brought fun and humour to the dressing room to defuse even the most tense of situations," said a statement.

“Darren was a gifted footballer who's natural skill and steely determination greatly enhanced our team and he was a natural leader. Darren played his last game for us last season when he made a cameo appearance for Garryowen in Thomond Park against Shannon in the AIL.

“Darren won [the] Munster Senior Cup and Bateman Cup with us after joining from Young Munster who we join along with the rest of the rugby fraternity in mourning the loss of Darren.

“To the Ryan family, words can't express how much we feel your loss and the pain of losing Darren but please take some comfort in knowing he was much-loved and respected both as a player and friend by all of us lucky enough to have had him in our lives.”