A man who died as a result of a single-vehicle road traffic collision earlier this morning (Friday) has been named locally as Barrie Meneely.
Mr Meneely, originally from Dungannon, but understood to be living in Lurgan, died when the motorcycle he was travelling on crashed on the Red Lion Road in Loughgall around 10.25am.
This evening, his hometown football club, Dungannon Swifts, led the tributes to the 44-year-old.
In a statement on their website the club said: “Barrie Meneely was the life and soul of every game as a supporter of DSFC. He enjoyed the ‘banter’ with home and away fans and many people will recognise him even if they didn’t know him.
“His young son, Alfie, lead the Swifts team out on the pitch as mascot at the Bet McLean League Cup Final v Ballymena.
“This was an extremely proud moment for Barrie and his wife Emma watching their wee man beaming with pride.
“Barrie was a proud and delighted Swifts fan that day, with his beloved club winning their first major trophy and also Alfie being a mascot brought him even more joy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially to his wife Emma and three children, Alex, Charlotte and Alfie and to his father Johnny who attended all Swifts games with him, his mother Noleen and sister Toni.”
Police are currently investigating the incident.
Sergeant Nick Browne said: “The collision, involving a motorcycle, occurred at around 10.25am at the junction of the Lissheffield Road and Red Lion Road in Loughgall.
“The 44-year-old male driver of the bike, who was from the local area, died as a result of his injuries sustained in the collision.
“The Lissheffield Road and Red Lion Road in Loughgall were closed for a period, but have now re-opened.
“I am appealing to anyone was travelling on the Lissheffield Road at its junction with Red Lion Road around this time, or drivers who have a dash cam fitted to their vehicle to check their footage, to contact police in Lurgan on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 365 of 09/03/18.”
Main picture: Barrie pictured with his wife Emma.
