Gerry, the father of Niall Kieran (29), a citizen of Dublin who tragically lost his life in a cycling mishap in France, reflected on his son’s intense devotion to cycling at his memorial service on Monday. He recalled how Niall’s love for cycling blossomed when he received his first bicycle as a Christmas present from Father Christmas and when the training wheels were removed, signalling a newfound sense of liberty. This love only intensified when he became a member of the Orwell Wheelers cycling club at 13.
Gerry described his son’s enjoyment for cycling, constantly striving to ride further distances. The family’s life turned upside down last week, he conveyed to the mourners at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Churchtown.
The ill-fated cycling adventure in the French Pyrenees where both father and son had participated, took a tragic turn on Sunday, July 21st, when Niall fell into a deep ravine off the road during a cycle in the Luz-Saint-Sauveur valley. Despite immediate attention from the emergency services, Niall’s life couldn’t be saved.
Gerry expressed his gratitude towards the French emergency services for their professionalism and compassionate handling of the situation. His thanks were also extended towards the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and the staff at the Irish Embassy for their assistance in bringing his son back home and to everyone who offered help and support during this trying time, which he found profoundly touching.
Members of the Orwell Cycling Club paid honour to Niall by sporting their club jerseys at the funeral. A rueful statement was issued last week by the club’s president, Joe Fitzpatrick, lamenting the devastating loss of a beloved member.
Those who were familiar with Niall can confirm how eagerly anticipated his trip with his father was. An avid cyclist, Niall had a deep love for every facet of the sport – whether it was leisurely weekend rides, races or the community aspect of it. He was a recognised and cherished member of the club, and his absence will be deeply felt by those that knew him.
We extend our sincere condolences specifically to Gerry, but also to the wider Kieran family during this difficult period.
The chief executive of Cycling Ireland, James Quilligan, extends condolences on behalf of both Cycling Ireland and the broader cycling community, to Niall’s family and friends.
Niall Kieran was an employee of the Houses of the Oireachtas service in Dáil Éireann in the IT section and had recently initiated provision of technological support to the Oireachtas committees’ division.
A representative of the Houses of the Oireachtas expressed profound grief and shock at the sudden and unexpected demise of Niall. They passed along their heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues at Leinster House.
Niall Kieran leaves behind his parents, Gerry and Louise, his brother Conor, and his sister Sinéad.