THE heartbroken daughter of a man who died in a tragic road crash in Cork has paid tribute to the "best daddy in the world".
Donal O'Brien, 45, lost his life when he was struck by a car while cycling on the N40 South Ring road near Curraheen on May 14, 2017.
His only child Nicole has said she only realised how much pride her "superstar" dad in her after the accident.
Ms O'Brien honoured her father today as she nominated him for the monthly 'Superhero Award' on Cork Red FM's Neil Prendeville Show.
Nicole, 25, said: "I have always been the proudest daughter in the world. He is my superhero. He was always so proud of me and I realised this even more after the accident.
"Every second person tells me I’m just like my dad, and it’s the greatest compliment I could ever receive.
"I was my dad’s world and I couldn’t have asked for anymore than what he did for me the last 25 years.
Donal O'Brien, 45, was a successful car salesman in Cork and had only one child in doting daughter Nicole"Coming up to the anniversary, I really think my dad deserves to be recognised for every single good thing he has done throughout his life, I won’t say everything because it would take up the whole show, but oh my God he was something special".
She added: "He will always be my number one hero."
With the first anniversary of Donal's death on the horizon, Nicole said her world was "shattered" the day she learned of his death.
She recalled: "Ever since I was a baby I was obsessed with my dad, I knew I had the best daddy in the world.
"My dad was the kindest person and would go above and beyond for anybody.
"This nomination is a heavy-hearted nomination as we are coming up to a year anniversary since my Dad was taken from us.
"On Sunday May 14, 2017, on the Ballincollig bypass, the worst day of our lives, the day our world was shattered and a tragic, fatal accident occurred".
Nicole has nominated her dad for Cork Red FM's 'Superhero Award'Nicole also reminisced about spending Christmas helping rough sleepers with Donal.
"Every Christmas Eve me and my dad would go into town, it was our day," she explained. "He would put coins from through the year into a jar and dispose them at Christmas to homeless people on the streets.
"He helped out so many people and was there when you needed him, no matter what the time.
"I just can’t describe how much of a hero my dad is to me, and my mom Sandra, his brothers Jason and Jonathan, his mom and dad, Margaret and John and all his friends."
She added: "We all miss him so much, we will never get over this loss, its killing us, but he has definitely left a piece of him in everyone’s heart and made such an impact on everyone’s life.
"He will never be forgotten. Donal O’Brien is the definition of a superstar. A superhero. And a champ."
Maria Harkin, 38, received a 12-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to careless driving over Mr O'Brien's death.
Ms Harkin made an emotional apology to the O'Brien family at Cork Circuit Criminal Court last month, saying she was distracted by her children when she took her eyes off the road momentarily before colliding with the cyclist.
