‘It’s hard to take in’ - family of bus crash victim tell of devastation over his death
The family of Francis ‘Frank’ Daly who tragically died when he was struck by a bus in Dublin this week have told of their devastation over his death as they prepare to make funeral arrangements. Mr Daly (86), from Bargy Road in East Wall, was run over when a Bus Eireann bus drove onto the pedestrianised North Earl Street just off O’Connell Street in the city centre on Thursday. Two other pedestrians - a man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s - were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. However, the man aged in his 20s suffered catastrophic leg injuries in the horrific crash. A relative of Mr Daly, who asked not to be named, told Crime World the family are still trying to come to terms with his death. Read moreGarda investigation into fatal Dublin city bus crash will take weeks to complete “We were shocked to get the news on Thursday and we’re all devastated with what has happened. It’s hard to take in. “He was a gentleman and will be sorely missed. He lived in East Wall since he was a child and loved the area. He bought the family home from the council when his mother died.”The relative said Mr Daly loved walking and would make his way into the city centre every day and would always visit Ann’s Bakery on North Earl Street where he was well known and loved by staff and regulars. A memorial table was set up in his honour in the bakery after his death and one friend who knew him from there described him as an “amazing human being”. The scene of the crash on North Earl Street Mr Daly was a bachelor with no children but was a popular figure amongst his neighbours, friends and family. He had a large number of siblings growing up several of whom have passed away over the years. He is survived by his brother Dermot and sisters Betty and Patty.Another brother, John, died last year and Mr Daly would regularly walk the 6km journey from his home in East Wall to go and visit him in Glasnevin before he died. He was very active for his age would also go and visit family in the US where two of his sisters emigrated years ago. His funeral arrangements will be finalised over the coming days. The garda investigation into how the crash occurred is likely to take a number of weeks. Gardai are satisfied at this stage that the bus driver, a woman aged in his 50s, did not have a medical episode resulting in her losing control of the double decker Bus Eireann bus. Gardai have not launched a criminal investigation at this stage and are focusing on a technical examination of the vehicle.They are taking statements from up to 30 witnesses who were at the scene to build up an exact picture of what happened. The driver did not suffer serious injuries in the crash but was treated for shock and taken to hospital. She was later discharged from hospital and it is understood gardai will formally speak to her after a number of technical reports have been finalised. These include a PSV inspection – a “forensic examination” into the vehicle and all aspects of its working order at the time of the tragedy which made international headlines.The bus, which was out of service at the time, crashed into pedestrians as it came off the junction of Talbot Street and Marlborough Street around 12.30pm on Thursday. Instead of turning left onto Marlborough Street the bus continued on driving onto pedestrianised North Earl Street. The bus crashed into a number of pedestrians and knocked over a lamppost and other bollards before coming to a stop outside Guinney’s on North Earl Street. Read more‘Gentleman’ killed in Dublin bus crash remembered as ‘intelligent’ and ‘independent’Bus Éireann said it is offering its full support to the relevant authorities as its investigations continue and will provide any additional assistance required.Dublin Fire Brigade said over 20 firefighters and paramedics, four engines, two emergency tenders with heavy rescue tools and an advanced paramedic response car were dispatched to the scene.An Garda Siochana has asked anyone with photographs or video of the incident to make them available to the investigation team at Store Street Garda Station.
Comments (0)