A cyclist (51) has died following a collision in Dublin City Centre this morning.
The man was fatally injured when he was involved in a collision with an articulated truck at Wellington Quay at about 8.20am.
He was pronounced dead at St James' Hospital a short time later. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact them at Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 6669000.
The road was closed earlier to facilitate forensic collision investigators, and diversions were put in place via O'Connell Street and College Green. The road was reopened at 1pm.
The "bus gate" around College Green was temporarily lifted this morning to facilitate traffic.
Dublin Cycling Campaign chairman Dr Mike McKillen claimed today gardaí were not prosecuting drivers who put cyclists in danger. “Gardaí do not see cycling as being vulnerable and requiring proper traffic enforcement. Gardaí are not doing their job in protecting cycling,” he said.
Road Safety Authority spokesman Brian Farrell said pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are most at risk on the road.“They are vulnerable road users and if they are involved in a collision their chances of injury or death are more serious,” he said. “Vulnerable road users will come off worse.”
It is estimated more than 5,000 people cycle into Dublin city every day. Seven cyclists have been killed on the country’s roads this year, out of a total road death toll of 171.
Elsewhere, a 24-year-old man died in when his motorcycle collided with a car in Co Offaly yesterday evening.
The incident occurred on the Roscrea to Kinnitty Road near Kinnitty, at about 6.50pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was taken to Tullamore General Hospital but was not thought to be seriously injured.
Garda road traffic statistics revealed 27 pedestrians and 24 motorcyclists have died on the roads so far this year.