Tributes flow for Irishman killed in Christmas Day crash

O’Dwyer, of Ennistymon and previously Ballyvraneen and Lahinch in Clare, Eire, died in a single-vehicle crash on Methven Freeway (State Freeway 77) within the suburb of Allenton.

The Christmas vacation highway toll now stands at 11.

Emergency providers had been notified about 12.45am and the only occupant died on the scene, police stated.

The Irish Mirror reported O’Dwyer had emigrated with a good friend from Miltown Malbay in September and had been primarily based within the North Island earlier than later shifting south.

He was reportedly employed by a fellow Irishman, a Liscannor native, and was working alongside 20 others from north Clare.

Locals stated his demise had introduced “unimaginable disappointment” to his area people and his shut and prolonged households.

Members of the O’Dwyer household thanked the general public for his or her assist in latest days and have now appealed for privateness.

His household stated whereas they had been “coping with the unthinkable and devastating heartbreak of Tim’s loss, they wished to thank their household, pals and neighbours for the unbelievable outpouring of kindness and assist at this extremely tough time. We ask now for privateness”.

Senator Martin Conway, who knew the household stated he was heartbroken for the O’Dwyer household.

“The entire group are behind them to assist in any means they’ll. It has put an enormous dampener on the entire group. I’d enchantment to individuals to respect the household’s enchantment for privateness”.

The Ennistymon Hurling Membership expressed their sympathies on social media to household and pals of O’Dwyer.

“Tim performed with us from a really younger age. He was a popular and hard-working participant inside our membership. He will likely be drastically missed by everybody who knew him.”

The Division of International Affairs confirmed to the Mirror they had been offering consular help to the household and had been working with “the O’Dwyer household on efforts to get Mr O’Dwyer’s stays repatriated”.

O’Dwyer’s demise was the fifth throughout New Zealand’s vacation highway toll, which has since greater than doubled.