Gardaí are to write to South Dublin County Council recommending an upgrade of the cycle lane at Belgard Road in Tallaght, Dublin, following an incident in which a cyclist was killed when he was swept under an articulated truck.
Dublin County Coroner's Court heard yesterday that software engineer Conor Murphy (41), Old Rectory, Lucan, died instantly on May 30th last year after he became caught in the undercarriage of a truck, which drove over his head. The vehicle was carrying concrete blocks and weighed 32 tonnes.
Celine Murphy told the inquest that her late husband, a keen cyclist who was on his way to work when the accident took place, had complained frequently of the dangers facing cyclists on the Belgard Road. "He said the cycle lane was very narrow, he said the cycle lane went alongside the trucks and was very close." Ms Murphy added that she was due to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary this year with her husband.
Garda Cliff Quinn told the court that gardaí were sending a report to South Dublin County Council requesting that it raise and expand the cycle track on the Belgard Road significantly to improve visibility for truck drivers and increase space for cyclists.
Gardaí were taking this step as a result of their investigation into Mr Murphy's death, he added. "It is very dangerous. Where the trucks pass is very close to the cycle track. We intend to send a report to the local council requesting they raise the cycle track."
The inquest heard that the truck was indicating to turn left at the junction of Belgard Road and Embankment Road. Mr Murphy cycled up on the inside of the truck intending to go straight through the junction and was most likely unaware the truck intended to turn left due to a "phenomenon known as 'off-tracking'," according to Garda Edward Davin, a forensic road traffic accident expert.
Because of the size of the articulated truck, the driver first must drive straight before moving left, which most likely gave Mr Murphy the impression the truck intended to drive straight ahead, Garda Davin continued. "It's a common phenomenon. Off-tracking opens up a false gap for the cyclist."
By the time Mr Murphy realised the truck was turning left, it was too late and he was swept underneath, Garda Davin said. Truck driver Alex Smith did not give evidence at the inquest because he was in hospital with a serious illness. A jury returned a verdict of accidental death.