'An absolute gent' - Man killed after being hit by car in Laois named locally

Tributes are being paid to the Laois man who has been named locally as the victim of a road traffic accident on the N80 near Stradbally.

Paddy Mulhall, a native of Crannagh, died in a collision which Gardaí say occurred on the Laois to Carlow stretch of the N80 road not far from his home on the Carlow side of Stradbally late on Sunday, February 23.

Stradbally-based Laois County Councillor Paschal McEvoy said there is widespread shock and sadness in Laois at the news of Mr Mulhall’s death. The Councillor said: "He was an absolute gent, liked by all and was well known by everyone. It is just an absolutely horrendous tragedy."

Cllr McEvoy extended his sympathy to the Mulhall family. He said the community would now rally around them during this difficult time.

N80 traffic was diverted by Gardaí onto the Athy road in Stradbally after the crash.

The female driver of the car, who was aged in her 30s, was not injured. An extensive stretch of the national route was closed pending an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators on Monday morning.

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Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward. They ask that any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling on the N80 at Crannagh between 10.30pm and 11pm on Sunday to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Mr Mulhall's death is the second fatal road traffic accident to have occurred over the weekend. Aaron Hussain, aged 5, sadly lost his life in Kilminchy, Portlaoise on Saturday afternoon.