Mum killed by van while jogging remembered as 'a lovable person'

Mourners carry the coffin of Nuala Grant

Patrick O'Connell

A mother-of-four who was fatally injured when she was hit by a van on a seaside walkway was remembered as a "lovable person who had lived a beautiful life".

Hundreds of mourners, including family members, friends and work colleagues of "wonderful mum" Nuala Grant, paid tribute to her at her funeral mass at the Church of St Paul in Ayrfield, Dublin.

Ms Grant (40), from Bettyglen, Raheny, was jogging along the coast at Raheny when a man in a van drove on to the pathway and hit her, inflicting fatal injuries.

She had worked for nearly 15 years as a social worker in a child protection team, but more recently had worked in play therapy for children in a private capacity.

"She was lovable in so many ways, and in a sense her life speaks for itself," Fr Gerry Corcoran told the packed church.

"Nuala was born, the second child to Brendan and Maura.

"She was the first daughter, a beloved daughter, a beloved sister, a beloved loving wife to Gordon and, of course, a devoted mother to Aoibhe, Fionn, Sean and Emer.

"And she had a large extended family and in-laws, all to whom she was well-loved for being the person she was and all the qualities that she had.

"Nuala was a truly outstanding mother, and in an interview with the Independent last year she spoke of how good it was when Emer was a year old to have a career break from her work at Tusla.

Charisma

"Visiting Gordon and Nuala's home on Thursday afternoon, meeting some of the neighbours and close friends, they said Nuala had that charisma of attracting people when they were grouped together.

"And it's a beautiful charisma to have, that power of bringing people together."

Ms Grant was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened at about 7pm on Wednesday on the coastal section of the Howth Road, Raheny.

Traffic is not allowed on the walkway on which the white Renault van was being driven.

Ms Grant was running at the location when the van hit her.

Garda sources said the circumstances of the vehicle being driven on to the segregated pathway would take time to establish.

The same sources said the driver had an acute health condition and may have suffered a medical issue before the accident.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses, and road users with camera footage to contact Raheny Garda Station on 01 6664300.

Alternatively, they can call the Garda Confidential Line.

Last week, a man who walked the path said he was shocked on hearing the news of his neighbour's death.

"They're a lovely family and have been living here a few years," he said.

"It's an awful tragedy and I just can't understand how it happened."