A 30-year-old man killed in a two-vehicle collision on the A5 in Co Tyrone has been named locally.
He was Caolan Devlin from the Coalisland area – the older brother of current Tyrone GAA player, Niall Devlin.
Mr Devlin was driving a BMW car along the Curr Road stretch of the A5 when it was involved in collision with a lorry on Tuesday evening.
His local GAA club, Coalisland Fianna, offered its deepest sympathies to the Devlin family on the “sudden and shocking” passing of its former player.
“Caolan is son to Gerard and Margaret Devlin and brother to Niall,” said the Club.
“At tragic and difficult times like this, we need to stand by Caolan’s parents, brother, friends, and entire family circle through the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Devlin family at this difficult time. Funeral and wake arrangements will follow later today. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Mr Devlin’s aunt said she was “devastated”.
She wrote: “[I] can’t come to terms. My wee shadow growing up, the best lad ever. Sleep well my angel from your heartbroken aunty Ann Jimmy and boys. Loved so much, never to be forgotten. I can’t cope with losing you my darling, so unfair. Condolences to my brother Gerard, sister-in-law, Margaret and nephew, Niall.”
Sadly, the tragedy came just hours after the recently-restored NI Assembly heard pleas for an upgrade of the A5 which has claimed more than 50 lives since 2006.
And it’s not the first time a Tyrone GAA player has been impacted by sibling loss on the A5.
All-Ireland winner Kevin Hughes lost a brother and a sister in separate road fatalities.
Paul Hughes (22) and 24-year-old Helen Hughes were killed on the same stretch of road in 1997 and 2001.
