The funeral details for Caolan Devlin, who was killed in a two-vehicle collision on the A5 in Co. Tyrone, have been announced.
The Coalisland man, who was the older brother of current Tyrone GAA player, Niall 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.
A death notice described Caolan as the beloved son of Gerard and Margaret and much loved brother of Niall.
Caolan’s remains will be removed on Saturday at 10am from his late residence, 65A Coole Road, Aughamullan, BT71 5DP, to arrive at The Church of The Holy Family, Plater’s Hill for Requiem Mass at 11am.
Interment afterwards in St Mary and St Joseph’s Cemetery, Brackaville Road.
Among those paying tributes to Caolan’s life was Tyrone GAA.
In a post on social media they said: “Gaelic Tyrone is deeply shocked, saddened, and even angered at the death of Caolan Devlin, brother of our Tyrone Senior player and All-Ireland-winning Under 20 Captain, Niall.
“A good person so senselessly taken, a good family now bereft, a County again broken, and life for so many utterly changed and damaged. A great deal of faith, strength, courage, and support will be needed, and will have to be shared, in the times ahead.”
The post continued: “Our deepest sympathy goes to Gerard, Margaret and Niall, to Caolan’s wider family circle, to his team-mates and so many friends and colleagues, and to the Gaels of Naomh Colmcille and Coalisland Fianna.
‘I measc Naomh na hÉireann agus Laochra na nGael go raibh sé | May he be among the Saints of Ireland and the Heroes of the Gael’.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was “deeply shocked and saddened to learn of his passing.
“Caolán was a much-loved young man with a bright future ahead of him, he was well known and liked by many in our local community, and in particular within the GAA family”, she said in a post on social media.
“He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Caolán’s parents Margaret and Gerard, his brother Niall, and the entire Devlin and Cullen families as they come to terms with this unimaginable loss today.
“An entire community is heartbroken today. We will all gather around to support Caolán’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.
“I want to thank the emergency services who attended the scene and for all their efforts, and I would urge people to assist a request from the police for dash cam footage to be brought forward.
“Another family has been left in mourning today after losing a loved one on the A5. This is a sad reminder of why we need to urgently upgrade this dangerous road to save lives now.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
A5 crash victim named locally as older brother of Tyrone GAA player
