RIP: Distraught colleagues pay tribute to Limerick man who died after cycling accident
Aged in his 40s, Brian Hodnett passed away after an incident at Mountshannon, Dublin Road.
A candle is glowing at a workstation in Limerick in memory of a well-loved man who died following a cycling accident earlier this week.
Warm tributes have been paid to Brian Hodnett, who lived in Castleconnell, following his passing on Tuesday.
He will be laid to rest after his Funeral Mass in the village on Saturday.
Aged in his 40s, Brian passed away after an incident at Mountshannon, Dublin Road.
He received treatment at the scene before travelling to his home where he later passed away.
Gardai have issued an appeal for people with dashcam footage of the incident, which took place between 1.30pm and 2.10pm on Tuesday, May 26.
A regular attendee at the social enterprise Gateway to Education, its founder Suzanne Roche said staff have been left distraught.
A candle burns in Brian’s memory at his desk at the group’s office at Wickham Street in Limerick city centre.
“Brian was part of the Gateway family for the past six years and his loss is felt deeply by all of us. He was a gentle, kind, quiet and helpful person who brought warmth and steadiness to our days,” she said.
Gateway to Education exists to help families access affordable school essentials.
And Suzanne said one of the things he loved doing was pricing the books as they came into their shop.
“It’s going to be lonesome without him. Brian loved his routine and was a familiar and valued presence, travelling faithfully from Castleconnel, always with his quiet smile and caring nature,” she said.
Brian travelled by bike from Castleconnell to the city centre in the summer-time, and took the train in the winter months twice-a-week.
“My Wednesdays and Fridays will never be the same again,” Suzanne said.
“He would do anything for anyone. He was shy, very quiet. He gave up chocolate for Lent - you couldn’t entice him. But last Friday, we bought him a big chocolate cake.”
Brian, who lived at Belmont Hill, died on Tuesday, May 26, suddenly, following the accident.
The beloved son of Elizabeth (née Lordan) and the late Tom, and loving brother of Andrew. He is sadly missed by his heartbroken mother and brother, sister-in-law, Bríd, nieces, Aoife, Ciara and Róisín, uncles, aunts, cousins, wonderful neighbours and friends.
He will repose at Meehan’s Funeral Home in Castleconnell this Friday from 5.30pm to 7pm.
His requiem Mass takes place at 11:30 am on Saturday in St Joseph’s Church, Castleconnell.
It will be live-streamed here.
Brian will be laid to rest after this at the Abbey Cemetery in Bantry, Co Cork.
May he rest in peace.