Next month's Ring of Kerry Cycle sportive will now be held in honour of one of its founders, Paddy O’Donoghue, after he was killed in a crash with a motorist last week while he was out for a spin.
Paddy (81), Gortahoonig, Muckross, Killarney, lost his life in the road traffic collision that occurred on the R569 road, Church Grounds, Kilgarvan, during lunchtime last Tuesday. Gardaí are investigating the crash and are still asking for witnesses to come forward.
As one of the founders of the annual Ring of Kerry event, Paddy also rode the sportive many times and remained of its main driving forces. As a result, this year's edition, set to unfold on July 5th, will now be held in his memory.
The dead man was a retired Kerry County Council engineer and had been involved in the creation of the Ring of Kerry Cycle event way back in 1982, remaining involved in the four decades since then.
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“On behalf of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle I wish to extend sincere sympathy to Brenda and the O'Donoghue family on the sad and sudden loss of Paddy," said event PRO Cathal Walshe. “He was a fantastic supporter of the annual charity cycle since it's inception back in the 80s.
"A regular participant and wonderful fundraiser for whatever charity he chose. Paddy loved a challenge in whatever he undertook and was the epitome of what the event was all about. We miss the banter and craic but he won't ever be forgotten.
"This year's event will be dedicated to his memory on July the 5th. His likes will never be seen again. Slan Abhaile our friend.”
Paddy is survived by his wife Brenda, children Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick, and Alice, 17 grandchildren, his brother John, sisters Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.
