A father-of-four and keen cyclist has been killed in a hit-and-run while out training on his own in preparation for the Ring of Kerry sportive next weekend.
Paud O’Leary, a 42-year-old from Leamyglissance in Co Kerry, was found dead on the side of the road when people went out searching for him after he had failed to return from his training ride. It is believed he may have been lying dead in a ditch for several hours before he was found.
Mr O’Leary left his house to go training at around 8am on Sunday. He was later found on the roadway having been knocked off his bike at Scrahan Fada, just over 10 miles from Killarney.
The exact time of his death is not known but gardai said the dead man could have been struck by a vehicle as early as 8.15am on Sunday, though he was not found until closer to lunchtime.
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His wife became concerned when he did not arrive back at their home when expected and a group of local people then decided to go out looking for him.
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Mr O’Leary, who was best known in the area for his involvement in Gneeveguilla GAA Club, was preparing for the 180km Ring of Kerry sportive next weekend.
He was one of a large number of people in his age profile who have taken up cycling in recent years following the introduction of the bike-to-work scheme and the significant growth in popularity of sportives.
Gardai in Co Kerry have started a criminal investigation into the hit-and-run that took Mr O’Leary’s life.
The guards in the area believe somebody locally must know who was driving the vehicle that hit Mr O’Leary and then left the scene. They have also said the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run is probably damaged and that people either living in the area or a little further away might have noticed unexplained damage to a vehicle of a person they know.
The guards have issued an appeal looking for witnesses to contact them. They want to speak to any motorists who travelled to or from Killarney through Gneeveguilla between 8am and 11am on Sunday.
Anybody who may have travelled the road at that time, or has other information, is asked to contact Kanturk Garda Station on (029) 20680. The Garda Confidential Telephone Line can also be reached at 1800 666 111 or people can contact any Garda station.
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