Tributes have poured in following the tragic deaths of two local men during the Sligo Stages Rally. Gene McDonald from Cootehill and Daire Maguire from Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh died instantly when their car hit a wall during the Sligo Stages Rally near Ballymoate at around 3pm yesterday.
Jim Reilly is the chairperson of the Cavan Motorclub. Speaking on this morning's Joe Finnegan Show, he extended his "deepest sympathies" to the families of both men on behalf of the local motor club.
Mr Reilly described both me as "well known" and "very well liked" adding that their tragic deaths has sent shockwaves right through the motor sport community.
Mr Reilly explained that both men were "highly experienced" in their roles and that news of their deaths is still "hard to believe."
Though a native of bordering county Fermanagh, Mr Reilly highlighted how the late Daire Maguire worked in Cavan town for many years up until only a few weeks ago, adding that both men were as local as you can get and will be sadly missed.
"We here in the club, the local community and the motorsport fraternity as a whole are very deeply shocked by yesterday's event," he explained. "The lads were very well-known in the area and very well liked. It's just a tragic, tragic accident."
Elsewhere, tributes were paid to Cavan native, Gene McDonald who is a well-known mechanic in the Northern Sound region. Posting to social media, members of the Carrickmacross Festival Committee said they were "devastated" to hear the news of Mr McDonald's death.
The post stated that Gene was a long-time sponsor and supporter of the annual event and was so well liked in Carrickmacross and will be missed by all who knew him.
Committee members said their thoughts are with his family and many friends as they come to terms with this tragedy, and to the family and friends of his Co-driver, Daire Maguire, who also lost his life in the incident.
