Tributes paid to mother-in-law of Offaly councillor killed by cyclist while erecting election posters

Tributes have poured in for the mother-in-law of an Offaly County Councillor, who died after being struck by a cyclist in Dublin.

Theresa Clark, aged 70, was putting up election posters and as she crossed the Ranelagh Road in South Dublin, she was struck by a cyclist.

The accident occurred on Tuesday, June 4 at approximately 11pm.

A teacher and the former Principal of Scoil Aonghusa Snr in Balrothery, Theresa was the mother-in-law of Fine Gael candidate John Clendennen, who was elected to Offaly County Council this week.

Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have poured in for Theresa, a teacher who has been described as a loving and much-loved mother of three.

As he thanked voters for supporting his campaign as he got re-elected, John Clendennen shared in a post on social media: “Despite being re-elected, today is overshadowed by great sadness. As I fought the concluding days of the election campaign, my mother-in-law Theresa Clarke was fighting for her life up to Sunday afternoon, following a tragic road traffic accident on Tuesday evening.”

Scoil Aonghusa Parents Association paid tribute: “It is with deep sorrow that we share the news that Theresa Clarke, former beloved Principal of Scoil Aonghusa Senior, has passed away. Our sincere condolences to all her family and friends.”

Theresa passed peacefully following a tragic road accident surrounded by her family in the wonderful care of the staff of Beaumont Hospital.

Beloved wife of Michael, loving and much-loved mother of Elaine, Miriam and Josephine. Theresa will be forever loved and dearly missed by her husband and daughters, her sons-in-law John (Clendennen), Andrew (Sparshott), and future son-in-law Alan (Dixon), her three treasured grandchildren Oakley, Percy and Arlo, brother Danny, sister Anne (Brophy), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives and friends, her colleagues and friends from Scoil Aonghusa Snr, Balrothery and Fine Gael Dublin Bay South and broader network.

“Theresa is now reunited with her parents Dan and Josephine Loughrey and her beloved brother Finian,” read a death notice on Rip.ie.

Reposing at her residence (D16 FT53) this (Wednesday) evening from 4pm to 8pm. Removal on Thursday morning to St. Anne’s Church, Bohernabreena arriving for 10am Requiem Mass, burial thereafter in Bohernabreena Cemetery.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Ranelagh Road in Ranelagh between 10:45pm and 11.15pm on Tuesday, June 4 are asked to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Irishtown Garda Station at 01 666 9600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.