A well-known Dublin doctor and rugby player became the latest person to die on the roads when his car crashed into a skip at around midnight yesterday.
Dr Michael Smyth (49), of Fortfield Drive, Terenure, and Ms Jacinta O'Sullivan (29), of Larkfield Grove, Harold's Cross, died following the accident which happened at Kill Lane, Foxrock Avenue.
Dr Smyth, who was highly regarded in rugby circles, was driving the car. Both victims were taken to St Vincent's Hospital and were pronounced dead at about 12.20 a.m.
A Garda spokesman said it was believed the car went out of control when coming around a bend in the road and crashed into the skip.
It is an offence to leave a skip on a public road, but the skip involved in the incident was situated on a grass verge off the road.
Dr Smyth was in a partnership with Dr Bill Twomey, with surgeries at Heatherview Avenue, Tallaght, and Greenlea Road. He is survived by his wife, Christine, three sons and a daughter.
Dr Smyth played as an out-half for Terenure College Rugby Club. He also played for Leinster and won a senior cup medal with University College Dublin.
Mr Michael Mahony, a spokesman for Terenure College Rugby Club, last night described Dr Smyth as "a larger than life character" whose death had devastated the club.
"He was a dedicated rugby man; he lived and breathed rugby. We are all shattered here. It is just unbelievable," he said.
