Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Cork runner from Aherla in fatal road accident...

Friday, September 30, 2011

Cork runner from Aherla in fatal road accident...

A sad piece of news this time. This appeared in Fridays Irish Examiner......

Prison officer hit by truck.........Friday, September 30, 2011
GARDAÍ are appealing for witnesses to an accident which claimed the life of a prison officer in Cork city. John O’Riordan, a married father with a young child, died after he was hit by a truck at about 1pm yesterday. Mr O’Riordan, who lived in Aherla, had been working at Cork Prison when he decided to go jogging at lunchtime.

A brother of Natural Gas band founder Tim O’Riordan, John had been running between Meelick Park and Mervue Lawn in Ballyvolane when he was hit by the truck. Mr O’Riordan was pronounced dead at the scene and the roadway remained closed for a number of hours as gardaí carried out a technical examination.

A colleague described him as one of the most popular prison officers at the jail. "He was an amazing character who could tell a great story. He was also an avid runner who went for regular jogs during his breaks," the colleague said. Gardaí have asked witnesses to contact Mayfield Garda Station at 021 4558510..................End

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well that certainly makes one think about being alert on the road. I certainly won't be crossing the road without looking, or running on the road, from now on.

Shocking news, can't believe it. Condolences to his family and friends.

Andy Gibson (Eagle AC)

Anonymous said...

Condolences to his family and fellow workers;how quickly an enjoyable pastime can turn to tragedy. May He rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I did a loop of the park there (you can see the railings around it in the photo) yesterday at 1pm on my way back from my own run. Thankfully I didn't witness the incident (perhaps only by a minute or two), but it has certainly had an effect on me. I was out myself up Rathcooney direction on the back roads in my hi-viz top and runners and it was very gloomy.

I'm not taking any more risks. For the majority of us, running is a pleasurable pastime and not one worth getting hurt or worse over - so no more darting in and out of traffic for me, or hugging the verge of the road assuming passing traffic will give me the same attention they would afford a cyclist.

My condolences to his family and friends, also. No doubt I've passed John numerous times and perhaps nodded in his direction more than once. I'll keep him in my thoughts.

Larkin

Anonymous said...

Condolences to his Family, Friends and fellow workers.How a pastime that we all enjoy can end so tragically . May he rest in peace

Trevor O Neill St Finbarrs AC

Anonymous said...

we all love running, espesially on the roads,lets be careful, such a terrible accident, to his family, and his comrades in the service, the running community send their sympathy.

Jonesy said...

Had the pleasure of serving my time with Johnny in the Irish army, spending many a Friday and Sunday evening traveling up and down to Naas. An absolute gent who never had a bad work to say about anybody. Always a keen sportsman even back then.

RIP Johnny "Ni Obair in aisce i".

Anonymous said...

johnny will be sadly missed,real genuine down to earth person,had the great pleasure of living with johnny for 3 year in devoy barracks naas (85/88)doing our apprenticeship as carpenters,great to see almost 24 years later that all us chippies turned up for his funeral and near on 1/2 of the total platoon of 60 lads.gone but not forgotten,rip johnny, steve