'He was a true character' - tributes to M50 crash victim as funeral details confirmed

Many tributes have been paid to Derek Martin who was tragically killed in a road crash on the M50 on Friday morning. 

In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday afternoon, Helen Martin said that she had been told that when her brother passed away, "several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasn’t alone"

Helen continued, saying that she "really wants to find them", and asked if people could share the post.

I’ve just been told that when my brother passed away on the M50 on Friday that several cars stopped and people sat around him until the ambulance came so he wasn’t alone, i really want to find them if people can please share

— Helen (@_helenmartin_) May 20, 2024

Derek Martin was from the Ballymun area of Dublin 11, and worked as a prison officer at Wheatfield Prison in Cherry Orchard, Dublin. Martin joined the prison service in 2007, and had led charity drives with his coworkers including a sale for the Irish Cancer Society.

A notice on RIP.IE reads: "Martin, Derek (late of Santry and the Irish Prison Service) – 17th May 2024, following a tragic accident. Beloved husband of Vanessa and adoring father of Caitlin and Reece. Very sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Ethel and Derek, sisters Michelle, Jennifer and Helen, mother-in-law and father-in-law Marie and Brendan, brothers-in-law Neil, Brendan, Mark, Graham, Nigel and their partners, his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family from Liverpool, his best friend Noel, colleagues from the Irish Prison Service, and his many friends.

"Derek will be reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Ballygall Road West on Sunday afternoon (26th May) with a Gathering of family and friends from 2pm to 4pm. All welcome.

"Removal on Monday morning (27th May) to the Church of Our Lady of Victories, Ballymun Road, arriving for 10am Requiem Mass, which will be live-streamed via the link here. Funeral thereafter to Dardistown Crematorium".

Donations, if wished, were requested to be made to Crumlin Children's Hospital, which was "very close to Derek's heart". 

A Cork Colleague from the Irish Prison Service promised to "remember Derek on Monday". 

"Thinking of you and your family at this hard time. Derek was a great character and a pleasure to work with. RIP Derek," wrote Andrew Vigna. 

"Rest in Peace Derek. You were a larger than life character and always up for a laugh. You will be Sadly missed by all who worked with you. Sincere Condolences to Your Family at this Sad time," wrote Mark Bedford.