Fine Gael candidate’s mother-in-law killed by a cyclist while hanging election posters

The mother-in-law of a Fine Gael candidate was killed by a cyclist on the same night as she helped put up the party’s election posters.

Tragic mother-of-three Theresa Clarke (70) was crossing Ranelagh Road in south Dublin, where she was putting up posters in the area on behalf of a political party, when she was hit in the middle of the road at around 11pm last Tuesday.

Mrs Clarke, a teacher and former headteacher of Scoil Aonghusa School in Balrothery, Tallaght, south Dublin, was taken to hospital where she sadly died on Sunday.

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Mrs Clarke was also the mother-in-law of Fine Gael candidate John Clendennen, who was elected to Offaly County Council this week.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, newly elected councilor Clendennen said he and his family were shocked by the loss.

“We remain united and try to cope with the grief of losing someone so close and so powerful to her three daughters and extended family.

“She was very proud of her career as a teacher and principal. Her main joy outside of her family was her involvement with and contribution to the Fine Gael party.

“That’s a call no family wants to receive. Whatever she was doing in the area is sort of irrelevant. She was crossing the street, and that shouldn’t happen these days.

Cllr Clendennen appealed for witnesses and anyone with footage of the incident to contact gardai – as he spoke of the devastation he and his family are feeling.

“Ultimately, this is a very difficult time for all of us as a family. “It’s devastatingly shocking and you wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but when it comes to yours, it’s terrifying,” he told us.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, the Scoil Aonghusa Parents Association expressed its condolences to the family.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Theresa Clarke, former beloved principal of Scoil Aonghusa Senior, has passed away.

“We offer our sincere condolences to all her family and friends.”

A death notice posted on RIP.ie said Ms. Clarke died “peacefully following a tragic road accident surrounded by her family and under the excellent care of the staff at Beaumont Hospital.”

“Beloved wife of Michael, loving and much loved mother of Elaine, Miriam and Josephine,” the announcement continued.

“Teresa will be forever loved and greatly missed by her husband and daughters, her sons-in-law John (Clendennen), Andrew (Sparshott) and future son-in-law Alan (Dixon), her three precious 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 in Scoil Aonghusa Snr, Balrothery and Fine Gael Dublin Bay South and the wider network.

“Teresa was reunited with her parents Dan and Josephine Loughrey and her beloved brother Finian.”

Teresa is resting tonight at her residence, and on Thursday morning she will be transferred to the church of St. Anna. Bohernabreena will arrive for the requiem mass at 10:00 and will then be buried at Bohernabreena Cemetery.

In a statement, gardaí confirmed an investigation into the collision had been carried out.

“Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision involving a bicycle and a pedestrian which occurred on Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 at approximately 11pm on Tuesday 4 June 2024.

“The pedestrian, a 70-year-old woman, was taken to St. Vincent with serious injuries. She was then transported to Beaumont Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Sunday, June 9, 2024. The cyclist did not suffer any injuries.

“A technical examination of the scene was carried out and a Garda investigation is ongoing.”

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

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash cam footage) and were traveling on Ranelagh Road in Ranelagh between 10.45pm and 11.15pm on Tuesday 4 June 2024 are asked to come forward.

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

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