It was a memorable weekend of rugby in the capital, but a shadow was cast upon it by the tragic passing of David Hill on Saturday. The 30-year-old Scottish parliamentarian died while playing in a game of rugby between members of the Scottish Parliament and a Dail and Seanad XV at Donnybrook Saturday afternoon.
It's an unspeakable tragedy and a host of emotional tributes have been paid to David Hill across the gamut of Scottish politics, and by all accounts, he was a wonderful person who loved sport.
His colleague Dan McCroskie was at the match and discussed the circumstances with the Daily Mail:
We don't really know what happened. He had an injury to the side of the head, we suspect maybe during a ruck or something like that, but it wasn't instantaneous, he still played for a bit
He told a couple of the guys he had a sore head and I was looking at Whatsapp messages and then looked up and he was on the ground with a few people round him.
Hill, who was 30, worked as a researcher for the Scottish Conservatives at Holyrood. He helped form the Scottish Parliamentarian rugby team and was a passionate supporter of Scotland and Manchester United, as well as a bagpiper.
There was a moment's silence held in his memory before the Ireland U20s played the Scotland U20s in the Grand Slam decider last night in Donnybrook.
David Hill RIP. pic.twitter.com/vngLmgLhq1
— Dáil & Seanad XV (@DailandSeanadXV) March 20, 2022
The tributes paid to Hill from heartbroken friends, family and colleagues have been really moving.
I post this message with a very heavy heart this evening. A short statement below on our friend and colleague David. Thoughts with everyone involved right now. pic.twitter.com/HAJsKSgEor
— Jamie Greene MSP (@jamiegreeneUK) March 19, 2022
Nicest man I ever met and our best pal. Heartbroken. https://t.co/LVy0jkJwLv
— Colin (@ColSMal) March 19, 2022
The worst of days, ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis. https://t.co/2Rvdnf12rg
— Dáil & Seanad XV (@DailandSeanadXV) March 19, 2022
Sandesh Gulhane MSP spoke about how Hill's generous spirit on the BBC yesterday.
Everyone in our party and across the Scottish Parliament are mourning the loss of our colleague David Hill.
David tragically died doing what he loved, playing rugby with his friends.
David was a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
All our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/GweCzEg48s— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) March 20, 2022
Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said he was a "special person" and "calm, helpful, professional — an all-round good bloke".
McCroskie told the Mail how excited his colleague was to be visiting Dublin last weekend.
'He was absolutely buzzing about this trip. He really bought into the ethos of the club, about the fact that it's about meeting people from other parliaments, putting politics aside and making sure it was all about sport.'
As many of his friends have said, David Hill passed away doing what he loved.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.
