Former Ireland rugby international and coach Mick Doyle was killed when a lorry smashed into his car as he attempted a last-minute U-turn during rush-hour traffic, a court heard yesterday.
The former Lions star, who coached an Ireland Triple Crown-winning side, was travelling to Northern Ireland from his Co Kildare home in May 2004.
Doyle (63), a consultant veterinary surgeon, was on his way to a business appointment when his Volvo S40 was hit by a Leyland Daf articulated lorry at Quinn's Corner on the Ballygawley Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. His car was flung across the dual carriageway into a field.
His wife Mandy and the rest of the Doyle family did not attend yesterday's inquest but their solicitor, Ian Martindale, told Dungannon coroner's court that a tragic accident had snatched a true legend.
Mr Martindale said: "Michael Gerard Doyle/Mick Doyle/ Doyler was one of the most charismatic figures in Irish rugby and indeed Irish sport."
Police called to the scene told the hearing that the badly shaken lorry driver, Jason Bothwell, had stressed to officers the collision was unavoidable after Doyle suddenly swung out into his path. No charges were brought against Mr Bothwell following a full inquiry.
A postmortem examination confirmed that Doyle had suffered severe head injuries which caused instant death. Serious chest and abdominal injuries would also have most likely proved fatal.
No traces of alcohol or drugs were found in his body.