'Only for my helmet I wouldn't be talking to you today': Gerry Murray reacts to Limerick farmer's jail sentence

GERRY Murray - father of Munster and Ireland rugby great Conor Murray - said "only for my helmet" he wouldn't be talking members of the media outside Limerick Courthouse this Friday.

Mr Murray gave his reaction after a County Limerick farmer was jailed for 10 months and disqualified from driving for three years for careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Mr Murray.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY: Limerick farmer jailed over collision which left Conor Murray’s father in induced coma

Seamus Hanrahan, aged 53, of Kilmore, Granagh, County Limerick had pleaded guilty to the offence at the M20 Attyflin, Patrickswell on the afternoon of February 7, 2023.

Mr Hanrahan was driving a truck and slurry tanker on the slip road coming off the N21 and onto the N20 when he struck Mr Murray who was on a bike.

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

Mr Murray welcomed the sentence imposed by Judge Colin Daly at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

He said it would be a deterrent for other people because cyclists are so vulnerable.

"Only for my helmet, as the judge said, I wouldn't be talking to you here today," said Mr Murray.

When asked how he is now, Mr Murray said he is "OK but not 100%" and wants to get back to normal.