'It is just cruel': Deep sense of loss at Paddy's death in Limerick collision

THERE are many words to describe the late Paddy Hartnett, who has been named locally as the young man who tragically died following a road traffic collision near Ballylanders on Monday morning.

A loving son and brother, hard-working, honest, committed and popular have all been used to describe the young man from Knockanevin, Kildorrery.

When news broke of Paddy’s untimely passing, his former coach at Kildorrery GAA, Willie Duggan said it was "very hard to believe".

"He was only 22, turning 23 shortly. It is very hard to understand," said Mr Duggan, who on behalf of Kildorrery GAA extended his sympathies to Paddy’s heartbroken parents Martin and Helen; two younger brothers Eoin and Harry, extended family and many, many friends.

Mr Duggan trained U-16, minor and U-21 hurling teams that Paddy played on.

"He was very strong, very competitive, a good worker - he’d give you 100% every time he went out on the field and the same at training. He was very upright, honest and committed. He played midfield, wing back and you could get a spell out of him at full forward too. He was a real team player," said Willie.

Paddy was born a half a mile from the Cork-Limerick border and was a big supporter of the Rebels in football and hurling. The traits he showed on the GAA pitch were reflected in his life. After completing his Leaving Cert in Colaiste Fionnchua in Mitchelstown, Paddy studied electronic engineering in the then Limerick Institute of Technology.

During his studies Paddy worked in the Hunters Rest in Mitchelstown. 

"He was a great man for working. He was very well-liked and very well got there. He was very popular and had a lot of friends. His parents are great community people," said Mr Duggan. 

On Monday morning, Paddy was on the road early to work in Johnson & Johnson in Castletroy where he was employed as an engineer.

Gardai say they attended the road traffic collision involving a car and a van on the R513 Garryspillane to Ballylanders Road at around 6.15am on Monday morning. The van driver, a man aged in his late 50s, was taken to Cork University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Young motorist dies in Limerick road traffic collision

Tragically, Paddy was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Cllr Eddie Ryan said: "What a tragedy for a young man and his family and extended family - my heart goes out to them. It just proves that travelling the roads is a dangerous act every day. I hope the other driver will be OK. There is a lot of sadness in the locality. It is just cruel," said Cllr Ryan.

No funeral arrangements have been announced to date.