Conor Murray's dad forced to miss his wedding to Joanna Cooper over collision

THE FATHER of rugby great Conor Murray couldn't attend his son’s wedding to Joanna Cooper in Portugal as he was advised not to fly following a serious road traffic collision, a court has heard.

Gerry Murray, aged 70, suffered a traumatic head injury and was placed in an induced coma after he was knocked off his bicycle only 1km from his home in Patrickswell. 

In a victim impact statement, Mr Murray said he feels guilty for his wife and three children as “I continue to think what they went through while I was in a coma and not knowing if I would survive”.

Seamus Hanrahan (pictured below), aged 53, of Kilmore, Granagh, County Limerick pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Mr Murray.

Mr Hanrahan was driving a truck pulling a slurry tanker, while Mr Murray was on a bicycle when the incident occurred at the M20 Attyflin, Patrickswell on the afternoon of February 7, 2023.

Mr Hanrahan apologised to Mr Murray through his barrister Amy Nix, who read out a letter of apology on behalf of her client in which he wrote: “Every time I close my eyes I see Mr Murray lying on the ground.”

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Brian O’Leary on Wednesday.

Ms Buckley said Mr Hanrahan was driving a truck and slurry tanker on the slip road coming off the N21 and onto the N20.

“An independent witness said the driver slowed down but did not stop at the stop sign. He saw a bike being thrown out onto the road. Paramedics were called. Mr Murray’s helmet was extensively damaged and he suffered a significant head injury. There was no damage to the bicycle.

"Mr Murray was taken to University Hospital Limerick and then transferred to Cork University Hospital after his condition deteriorated. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was sedated, intubated and ventilated. He was put in an induced coma,” said Ms Buckley.

The court heard Mr Hanrahan was travelling at a maximum speed of 8kmph and stopped after he heard a bang.

Ms Buckley said the accused, who is a pig and dairy farmer, told gardai he stopped at the white line which is not in accordance with the evidence of the independent witness.

Ms Buckley said Mr Murray spent six weeks in Cork University Hospital followed by 10 days in Camillus’ for physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. 

“He has lost hearing totally in his left ear and has hearing loss in his right ear. He has shoulder and elbow pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. A hearing aid assessment found a hearing aid was going to make no difference to his hearing loss or tinnitus,” said Ms Buckley, who spoke of the effect of the collision on Mr Murray’s quality of life.

The barrister said he was reluctant to return to cycling, which is a hobby he has had all his life, but has since returned to cycling.

“He used to attend rugby matches but unfortunately he couldn’t attend due to noise levels with his tinnitus and acoustic sensitivity,” said Ms Buckley, who added that Mr Murray couldn't attend his son's wedding (pictured below).

The prosecuting barrister said Mr Hanrahan has previous convictions for careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of a collision and drink driving.

Mr Buckley read out Mr Murray’s victim impact statement in which he said he was out for a routine 30km cycle.

“My memory is of being about 1km from home. The next thing I became aware of was two and a half weeks later waking up with my family around me in Cork University Hospital after being in a coma for that time. 

“The next five weeks were spent learning to walk and do all the basic tasks of everyday life. I had constant tinnitus and had lost my hearing in my left ear. 

“After that period, I was transferred to St Camillus Rehab Hospital and eventually was allowed home. The feeling of guilt I felt for my wife and three children was to cause a lot of anxiety for us as a family as I continue to think what they went through while I was in a coma and not knowing if I would survive

“My son got married some time later but unfortunately I had been advised not to fly because of the fractures to my skull so I missed what was a major family event. I have an intensive physiotherapy regime which is still ongoing. Life for me has completely changed and I've been trying hard to get back to pre-accident days, but there's a long period of time ahead. I still have rehab for an indefinite time. 

“I have to include my family as victims of this accident and thank them for being there for me. I would like to thank the paramedics and UHL where I was treated first before being transferred to CUH where the care and support we got was exceptional. Also St Camillus whose staff have to be commended for all they do for everyone that is treated there. Thank you.”

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Ms Nix, in mitigation on behalf of Mr Hanrahan, submitted to Judge Colin Daly that there was a high degree of harm but a low degree of culpability. The barrister asked the judge to place maximum weight on Mr Hanrahan’s very early guilty plea.

“He has held his hands up, accepted responsibility and is genuinely remorseful for the injuries caused  to Mr Murray,” said Ms Nix.

She said her client was alcohol and drug free on the date in question and was travelling at less than 8kmph.

“Mr Hanrahan has instructed me to apologise to Mr Murray. It was a momentary lapse in concentration which had devastating effects.

"Mr Hanrahan did not see Mr Murray. I am instructed he looked left and looked right and moved forward slowly. He wishes he could rewind the clock and look one more time,” said Ms Nix, who noted that her client draped his coat over Mr Murray following the collision.

The barrister said Mr Hanrahan ferries he and his wife’s three children to school and the nearest town is seven or eight miles away from their home. She said Mr Hanrahan is from an upstanding, hard-working and well-respected family in County Limerick.

Ms Nix said six weeks prior to the collision one of their children required urgent medical treatment in Sweden. 

“It was a difficult and emotional time. It is absolutely no excuse - I’m just painting a picture of what was going on in his life,” said Mr Nix, who read out a letter of apology penned by Mr Hanrahan.

“Tuesday, February 7, 2023 will be forever on my mind. Every time I close my eyes I see Mr Murray lying on the ground.”

I wish to sincerely apologise to Mr Murray and his family for what happened. I can understand, as a father, what Mr Murray's family went through. This is something  I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I hope he will make a full recovery. I  wish I could change the outcome of that day,” read out Ms Nix.

Judge Daly adjourned sentencing to May 2.