Support has flooded in for Dr Sean Owens, the cyclist who was left in a serious condition in intensive care after being the victim of a hit and run in Co Louth last week.
Though the driver failed to remain at the scene, the criminal investigation conducted by the Garda has resulted in the arrest of a woman. She has been before the courts to face charges in relation to the crash.
Dr Owens, who is close to many of the riders in Cuchulainn Cycling Club in Co Louth, was left with serious injuries after the crash last Monday, January 6th. He has been a strong advocate for disability cycling in recent years.
Dr Owens was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, and has since been transferred to Beaumont Hospital, north Dublin, which specialises in the treatment of serious head injuries.
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Honorary president of Cuchulainn CC, and well known figure on the domestic cycling scene, Pat O'Shaughnessy said everyone was thinking of Dr Owens and his family.
"It's every cyclist's worst nightmare and when it's someone close to us like that, who is known so well to the public, you automatically have that empathy," he said.
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"And I think the crowd that turned out (on Sunday) night is a testament to that, because it's every family's worst nightmare; that a member of their family is struck or involved in a road traffic accident and ends up in intensive care."
On Sunday evening large crowds turned out in Blackrock, Co Louth, for a candle-lit vigil for Dr Owens, who is based locally and is originally from Co Down.
Dr Siobhan Garavaglia, who works with Dr Owens at Clermont Medical, said the injured man's wife, Irene, and their loved ones were overwhelmed with the support they had received since the crash.
She also confirmed he was conscious on arrival the hospital, according to The Irish Independent.
“There appeared to be some fractures to his neck, but he was able to move his legs and arms on demand, and although drowsy, he was able to answer all questions,” she said.
The hit-and-run road traffic collision occurred near Whitehouse Cross, Dromiskin, Co Louth, last Monday week.
“At approximately 6.25pm gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a collision, involving a vehicle and a cyclist, on the R132 in Dromiskin, Co Louth,” the Garda said in a statement the day after the crash.
