DPP to receive file on Tralee doctor’s death
Popular psychiatrist struck by car at Cork hotel
A TAXI driver arrested in connection with the death of respected Tralee psychiatrist Dr Martin Lawlor has been released without charge and gardaí are to prepare a file on the case for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Dr Lawlor – a 49-year-old father of three – died after he was struck by a car close to the International Hotel at Cork Airport on the N27 Kinsale Road in Cork in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It is thought the incident happened at around 4am on Saturday morning – as Dr Lawlor made his way back to the hotel following a night out with colleagues – though the alarm wasn’t raised until after 5.30am when a passing motorist spotted Dr Lawlor’s body at the side of the road.
Paramedics attended to Dr Lawlor, but he was pronounced dead at the scene and removed to Cork University Hospital.
The driver of the car that struck Dr Lawlor didn’t remain at the scene though a short time after the incident was reported a taxi was stopped by Gardaí operating a routine checkpoint a few kilometres from the scene.
Gardaí suspicions were raised when they observed that the taxi had sustained serious damage to its windscreen.
The driver – understood to be a man in his 60s from Cork city – was arrested and detained at Togher Garda Station. He was held until late on Saturday night when, following extensive questioning he was released without a charge.
A file on the matter is now being prepared for the DPP.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis carried out a post mortem examination on Saturday and the findings will form part of the DPP file.
Gardaí in Togher have appealed to anyone who may have travelled the Kinsale road between 4am and 5.30am or who witnessed or has dash cam footage of the incident to contact them.
Described as “a champion of mental health issues” Dr Lawlor worked for the HSE was from Tralee but been living in Manchester with his family for several years.
Dr Lawlor had been due to fly back to England just a few hours after the tragedy unfolded.
Dr Lawlor, who worked for the HSE, but also undertook psychiatric consultancy work in northern England, was the director of the Centre for Recovery and Social Inclusion in Ireland and a founder of ‘State of Mind Ireland’ a group set up to improve and promote positive mental health and wellbeing among athletes.
Dr Lawlor had worked closely with Tralee GAA club Kerins O’Rahillys on the State of Mind project and the club said it was devastated to hear of his tragic death.
“It is with profound shock and sadness that we have learned of the death of our friend Dr Martin Lawlor of State of Mind following a road traffic accident. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends,” said a club spokesperson.
Dr Lawlor’s sister Dr Susan Lawlor – with whom he had co-founded ‘State of Mind’ – said the family was “devastated” at the loss of their “lovely brother and friend.”