Evidence available to investigators indicates that one of the eight road deaths reported as a cyclist was a pedestrian at the time of the collision, Gardai have said.
“In relation to the incident on the 24th March, 2017 the evidence available to An Garda Síochána is that the deceased person was a pedestrian, at the time of the collision,” said Gerry Kavanagh of the Garda press office.
The incident in question — which happened on Patrick Street, Dublin 8 at around 12.45am on Friday morning of March 24 — was the collision which resulted in the death of Central Bank solicitor Paul Hannon. It was widely reported as a collision between a taxi driver and a cyclist.
Kavanagh added: “Classifications in respect of fatalities as a result of traffic collisions is based on the information available to An Garda Siochána. Should additional information become available that affects the classification, the matter is examined and reclassified accordingly.”
“The information available to An Garda Síochána at this time, is that 7 people have died as a result of traffic collisions and have been classified as cyclists.”
IrishCycle.com contacted the Gardai after cycling campaigners found a discrepancy in the number of cycling deaths listed on Garda.ie compared to the number of cycling deaths reported to date.
It’s a little difficult to see a likely scenario where that would happen at nearly 1am on a Thursday night in the city. Pedestrians obviously get killed (more of them than cyclists) but how often do you see someone walking their bike compared to either cycling it, or a bike-less pedestrian. Patrick Street is a wide and well lit road too. Very odd.