The Defence Forces have paid tribute to an Irish soldier who was killed in a car crash in Co Tipperary on Saturday.
Tipperary man Jack Griffin was jogging at Turtulla, just outside Thurles town on the Horse and Jockey road, after 3pm on Saturday evening, when he was struck by a car.
Mr Griffin (47) was a father to three young girls. The well-known GAA figure was a coach with Thurles Sarsfields hurling club.Mr Griffin was taken to South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel, where he was pronounced dead on Saturday evening.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said he epitomised the values of the forces, “loyalty, integrity, moral and physical courage”. He was a “solidier’s soldier” he said.
“He was a dedicated and professional soldier and made impression on anyone he met” and was “larger than life” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the thoughts of the forces were with his family. It is a “devastating loss for his family and his army family,” he said.
Mr Griffin had been home on leave from Brussels for a few days where he was serving with EU military staff, the spokesman said. He was experienced as a soldier at home and overseas where he served on many missions.
He was remembered at the annual ceremony for deceased members of the Defences Forces at Merrion Square on Sunday.
Gardai in Thurles are investigating the crash. The male driver (32) and three children in the car were uninjured. A postmortem is being carried out.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to contact them at Thurles Garda Station (0504 25100), the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111) or any Garda station.