Funeral details announced for father of two killed in tragic M50 crash as sister makes heartfelt plea

A father of two killed when his motorbike collided with a truck on the M50^[1] is to be laid to rest next Monday.

Derek Martin, 42, a prison officer from Santry in Dublin, was involved in the tragic accident shortly after 10am last Friday on the northbound carriageway of the M50 between Junction 7 (N4 Liffey Valley) and Junction 6 (N3 Castleknock).

The driver of the lorry, a man in his 50s, was taken to hospital for assessment. The M50 collision resulted in a section of the motorway being closed for almost seven hours. As a result of the accident, traffic was impacted throughout the city and remained extremely heavy throughout the day.

Mr Martin’s sister Helen thanked those who helped him at the scene “so he wasn’t alone” when he died and appealed to motorists who helped him to make contact with her so she could thank them on a social media post. Several have since been in touch.

Mr Martin, who was involved in fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society^[4] and other worthy causes, is survived by his wife Vanessa and his children, Caitlin and Reece.

His death notice on rip.ie^[5] reads: “Very sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Ethel and Derek, sisters Michelle, Jennifer and Helen, mother-in-law and father-in-law Marie and Brendan, brothers-in-law Neil, Brendan, Mark, Graham, Nigel and their partners. His aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family from Liverpool, his best friend Noel, colleagues from the Irish Prison Service, and his many friends.”

Mr Martin’s remains will be reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Ballygall Road West on this coming Sunday afternoon, 26 May, with a gathering of family and friends from 2pm to 4pm.

His removal will take place next Monday morning, 27 May, to the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, arriving for 10am Requiem Mass followed by cremation at Dardistown Crematorium.

In lieu of flowers, his family have asked for donations to Crumlin’s Children Hospital which, his relatives say, was very close to Mr Martin’s heart.

A Dublin mother who offered her sympathies said that when a person hears of terrible accidents, "you immediately think, someone’s son, husband or father". She continued: “I’ve prayed for this poor man and his family all week. May he rest in peace and watch over his loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP.”

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References

1. ^{^} M50 (www.irishmirror.ie)
2. ^{^} Man, 30s, dies following single-vehicle collision in Offaly (www.irishmirror.ie)
3. ^{^} Sister of motorcyclist killed in tragic M50 crash makes heartfelt plea to drivers who sat with brother (www.irishmirror.ie)
4. ^{^} Irish Cancer Society (www.irishmirror.ie)
5. ^{^} rip.ie (rip.ie)
6. ^{^} this link (chat.whatsapp.com)
7. ^{^} Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)