Tributes paid to teacher killed on M7
TRIBUTES have been paid to a young schoolteacher who died after being hit by a vehicle as he walked down the M7 early on Saturday morning.
Brendan Fitzpatrick, 24, of Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, was hit by ‘one or more vehicles’, according to gardaí.
Emergency services were called to the scene between Junctions 11 and 10 on the M7, near Naas, Co Kildare, at around 4am on Saturday. Mr Fitzpatrick was pronounced dead a short while later.
It is not known why he was walking down the motorway.
Mr Fitzpatrick taught engineering at St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow.
Pupils have praised him as a ‘brilliant’ teacher with a friendly nature, and a mentor who would remember the smallest details of their lives, even if the last meeting was months before.
Others paid tribute to a ‘gentleman’ who coached basketball at the school.
Thomastown parish priest Fr Daniel Bollard described the death as ‘tragic’, referencing Mr Fitzpatrick’s ‘promising career’. Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club, of which Mr Fitzpatrick was a member, paid their respects to a man who ‘exuded kindness and determination’, and who was ‘truly loved by all’.
‘All in Thomastown Paddlers are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of club member Brendan Fitzpatrick,’ it said.
‘An absolute gentleman taken far too early.’
The club extended its condolences to Brendan’s mother Fiona, who acted as the Paddlers’ secretary, father Éamon and sister Eimear.
Funeral arrangements are to be announced later under the care of Dennis O’Reilly, a funeral director in Thomastown.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
They added: ‘Additionally, we are asking motorists with any video footage (including dashcam) who were travelling on the M7 between J11 and J10 in either direction in the hours prior to the collision to make contact with investigating gardaí.’