A cyclist who died in a road traffic collision last week was the husband of a prominent Fingal councillor and had been the subject of a violent attack in May this year when putting up posters for his wife’s local election campaign.
Derek Doyle, who was in his 50s, died when his bicycle was involved in a collision with a truck near Castleknock village on December 19th. He was cycling home to Clonsilla, west Dublin, from Leinster House, where he worked as an usher for the Oireachtas.
He was formerly in the Defence Forces, having worked on the government jet as part of the Ministerial Air Transport Service and also with the Irish Aer Corps.
Mr Doyle was the husband of Councillor Tania Doyle, who has been an Independent councillor on Fingal County Council since 2015, and the father of Hazel Doyle, who works for Fingal County Council.
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Earlier this year, Cllr Doyle and her husband were putting up posters for the local election campaign when they were set upon by a number of men who punched Mr Doyle to the ground, Cllr Doyle later recalled. Cllr Doyle did not campaign publicly between then and polling day but comfortably retained her seat. She was an unsuccessful candidate in the general election in November.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, and its chief executive, AnnMarie Farrelly, both offered their condolences to Cllr Doyle and her family.
“It was with deep shock that I learned of the death,” said Mr McDonagh. “He was a big supporter of her political career. Solas síoraí dó.”
[ Election campaign marked by ‘unprecedented’ levels of vitriol and abuseOpens in new window ]
Ms Farrelly said: “The staff of Fingal County Council are shocked and saddened at the passing of Derek Doyle, who in addition to being the husband of Cllr Tania Doyle, was also the father of our colleague, Hazel Doyle.”
Former tánaiste Joan Burton said she knew him as a Dáil usher and was aware he had a great career in many public service roles.
Socialist Party TD for Dublin West Ruth Coppinger also expressed sympathy. She said she was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Mr Doyle. “Such an appalling tragedy and an unimaginably heartbreaking time for his wife, Cllr Tania Doyle, and his daughter Hazel,” she said in a social media post.
The Dublin 15 soccer club, Clonee United, said the whole community was shocked and saddened by the devastating news.
A candlelight vigil was held before Christmas in Castleknock near the place where the fatality occurred.
An Garda Síochána has appealed for any witnesses to the road traffic incident to make contact.
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