Offaly crash took place less than mile from victims home

An 83-year-old man who died in a single vehicle crash near Taylor's Cross in Offaly yesterday (Wednesday) was only about half a mile away from his home when the accident occured, the Offaly Independent has learned.

Patsy O'Brien was on his way to Mass in Banagher, which he attended every day, at the time of the accident. According to gardai his car struck a ditch on the R439 at approximately 9.30am.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body removed to Tullamore hospital. The stretch of road was closed to facilitate garda forensic collision investigators, with local diversions in place until the afternoon.

Any witnesses to the accident are asked to contact Birr garda station on 057 9169710.

Speaking about Mr O'Brien, Banagher parish priest Fr Pierre Pepper said he was a regular in his congregation, and was active in the local community particularly in his younger years.

Mr O'Brien's remains are reposing at Eliza Lodge in Banagher from 4.30pm to 6pm tomorrow (Friday), arriving at St Rynagh's Church at 7pm.

Funeral Mass takes place on Saturday at 11am with burial afterwards in St Rynagh’s Cemetery.