Avoca Man Was Struck By Car

A search for the driver of a jeep has been launched after it emerged that a vehicle struck the man killed in Avoca village.

Gardaí investigating the death of 48-year-old Brian Doyle in Avoca, Co Wiclow on Sunday night, say they have established that Mr Doyle was struck by a car following an assault.

It was believed that Mr Doyle, who was found dead by a woman driver on Sunday outside Fitzgerald's pub on the Avoca's Main Street shortly after 9pm, had died as a result of a row over football.

However, the latest appeal suggests the collision with a car directly after the assault may have been the significant factor in the man's death.

Witnesses confirmed that Brian 'Brier' Doyle, was initially struck during a heated argument over the televised Premier League derby clash between Liverpool and Everton. Gardai believe that one punch was thrown at Mr Doyle, a bachelor, who then fell to the ground and sustained a serious injury to his head.

This morning, Gardaí have asked any motorists who drove through the village of Avoca on Sunday night at around 9pm to come forward, including the driver of a jeep who it is believed may have passed by the scene at the time of or shortly after the entire incident and may have seen what happened.

A Gardaí spokesman said: "Since Sunday evening Gardaí have carried out a full technical examination of the scene itself including vehicles at the scene. Gardaí have also interviewed a number of people who were in Avoca on Sunday evening and they continue to appeal for witnesses and any information, which people believe may be helpful in establishing the full circumstances surrounding the assault on Mr. Doyle and his death."

The spokesman added that the appeal for the driver of the jeep was a witness appeal only as it is not believed that the driver is any way connected with the incident.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact the incident room at Avoca 0402-32304.

(DW)