Tributes have poured in for a “beautiful friend and lifelong neighbour” who was tragically killed in a road traffic collision while returning from a funeral in north Dublin on Monday, March 16.

Named locally as Johnny (Johny) Monks, of Bath Road in Balbriggan, he was cycling home from the funeral service at St Peter & St Paul’s Church in the coastal town when he was involved in a fatal collision with a truck on Dublin Street at approximately 12.40pm.

Emergency services and gardai rushed to the scene, but Mr Monks, aged 78, was pronounced dead at the roadside. Mr Monk’s death brings the total number of road fatalities this year to 37. For the same time last year, 31 people lost their lives on our roads.

Gardai and emergency services responded to the collision and Mr Monks, who was 78, was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner was notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

A male in his 30s was arrested at the scene. On Monday, the scene remained preserved for a time for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road was closed for a time.

Mr Monk’s death marks the 37th death on our roads this year. For the same time last year, 31 people lost their lives on our roads.

Taking to social media, pals of Johnny paid tribute to him and offered condolences to his heartbroken family.

One person wrote: “Very sad. Condolences to his family and friends. Sad day in Balbriggan. Here one day, gone the next.”

Another wrote: “Devastated. JM talked me through the tough times. Such a genuine pirate of Bath Road. You won’t be forgotten. God take him in your arms and look after our beautiful friend and lifelong neighbour.”

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Another person wrote: “JM I feel I shouldn’t have left ya this morning. I’m devastated. I won’t ever forget the bants we had. RIP JM.”

Another wrote: “Heartbreaking to hear of another death on our roads. What is happening lately? Thinking of his family.”

Meanwhile, gardai continue to appeal for witnesses. In a statement, An Garda Siochana said: “Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward.

“Road users with camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area of Dublin Street (R132) Balbriggan, Co Dublin on Monday, March 16 between 12pm and 1pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on (01) 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”

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