Tributes paid to well-known Cork city shop assistant killed when hit by reversing truck
TRIBUTES have been paid to a woman who tragically lost her life in a collision involving a truck on Smith Street in Cork city centre yesterday.
Maeve Murphy, aged in her 50s, from the north side of the city, was knocked down around 4pm on the narrow street which connects Oliver Plunkett Street to South Mall.
She was taken to Cork University Hospital by ambulance but later passed away.
The popular local woman worked in The Mall shop on South Mall and was well known by traders and customers.
She had previously worked in Mayne's Chemist for many years before the premises was turned into a pub, now called Arthur Mayne's.
Local traders were shocked and saddened by her sudden passing.
Eleanor Searles of MJ Galligan's designer fabric shop said the death had shocked her.
"She was fabulous in the chemist. She had a real insight for it. She was years with Mayne's.
"Every time my mother's prescription was up, she'd be on the ball and would ring her up.
"She kept herself very well. You'd see her heading to the gym with her rucksack on her back.
"She was very astute with illnesses. If you were sniffling at the counter in the shop, she'd tell you what to do and what to take.
"She was very helpful and was a very conscientious person. There was a young fellow who used to come into the shop who had special needs and she was very good to him. If there was an elderly person in the shop, and they were struggling to make their tea, she would help them."
Kathleen Kennedy of Hickey's store said she saw the ambulances yesterday but did not realise someone she knew was involved in the tragedy.
"We knew her. She shopped here and I would have shopped down there. She was always just very pleasant, refined and gentle. She was very sincere.
"She was coming in and out of here very regularly. There is a big network among the people who work in the city and camaraderie."
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, particularly any road users who may have dashcam footage of the area from the time of the collision, to contact Gardaí at Anglesea Street on 021 452 2000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
