The family of a Belfast man who died after a tragic collision on Valentine's Day have paid tribute to a "courageous and kindhearted soul".
Daniel Duffy, who was known to friends and family as Danny, died following a collision in Antrim on Tuesday, February 14. The 42-year-old was a pedestrian in the crash, which happened on the Randalstown Road area just after 10pm.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Danny's family say they want him to be remembered as "more than the pedestrian who was knocked down and killed".
READ MORE: NI man's tribute to brother who died days before his 37th birthday
"Danny was someone who never had it easy" his sister Michelle said.
"Despite everything Daniel was a courageous and kind-hearted soul who went the extra mile. Daniel was a very big part of our lives, often willing to do anything to help his seven siblings. Hearing the news on Wednesday morning about our brother is something we will never forget. As a family ,we are totally devastated by the sudden and tragic way we have lost our brother.
"He was more than the pedestrian who was knocked down and killed. As a family we want people to know the Daniel that we did. To us, Daniel was a son to our mother Geraldine who has also sadly passed in 2007, he was a father, a grandfather, a little brother to me and big brother to six others. He was an uncle, godfather, nephew, cousin, a partner, friend and of course a Man United fan.
"For Daniel, being a big brother was the most important job in the world, particularly after our mother passed, he felt he had to be in his words “the man of the house” and look out for us all. We will all cherish so many memories of the caring, kind-hearted soul that he was and the support he offers to all of his siblings.
"Daniel had a big heart and hated to see anyone struggling. We all knew that no matter what he would have been there, helping to look after our children, personally I would never have gotten to university or be sitting where I am today and for this, I will be forever grateful to my brother.
"The truth is there are so many other memories of his unwavering love and kindness, like when one of his nieces needed teething powder, he cycled 15 miles to get it, and when any of us were in trouble or struggling he was often the first one to drop it all to offer support, a place to stay, and a little bossy advice."
Michelle says her family has been left completely devastated by Danny's death. They are questioning how they will get through it, and said their lives will "never be the same".
"We ask anyone with any information to please come forward. We need the answers on what happened, so our family can get some closure.
"There has been a hole left in all our hearts and life will never be the same, but we are trying to hold on to all the good times and the cheeky smile and laughter over the years.
"We ask people not to think of our brother Daniel as just the pedestrian who was killed, but to think about all of him and the amazing, kind-hearted, caring person he was. As a family we are trying to find comfort in knowing that Daniel is now back safe in the arms of our mum."
A police investigation is ongoing and PSNI Detective Sergeant Neil Harrison is appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist officers with their enquiries, to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference 2070 of 14/02/23.
Information can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."
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