Monaghan community left reeling by loss of ‘totally devoted' family man following Co Armagh road crash
Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook
The popular Monaghan man was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting a PSNI investigation to kick into action.
The road was closed for a period of time as officers conducted inquiries and as senior police officials embarked on an appeal for potential eye witnesses to come forward.
In the midst of those efforts, tributes have been paid to the well-respected Castleblayney man, many of which have come from a community still reeling by the loss of one of its most endeared and inimitable of characters.
'Paddy was totally devoted to his precious mother Peggy and auntie Bridge,' wrote one local woman. 'They were so blessed to have such a caring son and nephew and Paddy will be so greatly missed.'
A death notice on RIP.ie told of how Paddy was remembered with love by his mother, Peggy and sister Marian, aunts Bridge, Kathleen, Ann and Josie, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Other tributes singled out the keen cyclist's penchant for the Louth Hunt where Paddy's love for the outdoors and warm persona were perhaps best exemplified.
'Paddy was a great follower of Louth Hunt and a true gentleman, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him,' a further tribute read from a Co Louth based friend.
But it was perhaps the flood of heart-rending testimonies that came from several neighbours and friends of Paddy's in his home town, which shone the spotlight on a man and personality who was admired by all who knew him.
'He will be greatly missed around the town of Castleblayney,' noted one local couple, soundings which were echoed by another local man who described his late friend as 'one of life's true gentlemen'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Sunday World
Cops seize flick knife and drugs from bus passenger in Belfast
A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers from the Safe Transport Team had been conducting patrols on board the Glider network A flick knife and drugs were seized from a passenger on the Glider bus in west Belfast on Friday, police have said. A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers from the Safe Transport Team had been conducting patrols on board the Glider network. "During our patrols many people commented how they were pleased to see Police on board services due to ongoing anti social behaviour concerns,' they said. PSNI conducting Glider patrol - 25th July, 2025 'Whilst on board, officers detained one male passenger for a search and located a small quantity of Class B Drugs and more concerningly, a flick knife. "The dangers of carrying a knife are self explanatory and can some times lead to tragic consequences. The male will now be investigated for these offences. It comes after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins outlined plans in February to extend the Glider service to north and south Belfast. As part of the development, there will be more 'bus priority measures' in the city. And there is anger after two elements of the scheme were dropped for now, with plans to run the Glider to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, not proceeding. The full scheme will not be completed until 2030 at the earliest. The Glider service of tram-like buses opened in September 2018. It currently runs from the McKinstry roundabout in west Belfast to Dundonald park-and-ride in east Belfast via the city centre. A second line connects the city centre to the Titanic Quarter. File photo of a Glider Ms Kimmins said the Glider 'has been a huge success' and has helped transform and modernise public transport services in east and west Belfast. She said extending the service to the north and south will bring 'the benefits of the Glider service to communities living along this route'. But there was anger after plans to extend the service beyond Cairnshill Park and Ride to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, were dropped. Ms Kimmins said that funding and feasibility studies led her to conclude "that any extension of the Glider service beyond Cairnshill Road Park and Ride towards Carryduff is not economically viable at this time but will be re-examined when further development along this route is realised'. She also said that 'significant congestion within Glengormley', as well as the pending public realm scheme and limited funding 'make it challenging to extend the service into Glengormley'. Flick knife recovered by PSNI from Glider bus on 25th July, 2025 Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
GAA pay poignant tribute to mum and two children killed in Co Fermanagh shooting at All-Ireland final in Croke Park
THE GAA has paid a poignant tribute to a mum and two children who were killed in Co Fermanagh this week. The commemoration took place at 3 A vigil was held for Vanessa and her children Sara and James on Friday evening Credit: PA 3 Respects were paid to the tragic trio and their family Credit: x It was to honour The names of the three appeared on screen alongside a picture of them while a minute's applause was held. And an announcement was made on the loudspeakers offering "condolences on the tragic deaths" with thoughts and prayers dedicated to the trio's friends, family, and community. A moment of silence was also held before the match kicked off. READ MORE IN GAA Vanessa and her two children were shot dead at their home in the Co A man who is a member of the same household remains critical in hospital while PSNI probe the incident as a suspected triple-murder and attempted suicide. Maguiresbridge St Mary's GFC paid tribute to the family, calling them "treasured members". Most read in The Irish Sun In a statement, they said: "Vanessa's devotion to her family and our games was well known, but to say she wore her heart on her sleeve seems like an understatement in Vanessa's case. "Vanessa's heart was there for everyone to see each and every time James and Sara would take to the pitch. "She had a passion for our games that encompassed everything good about the GAA showing dedication, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, and it was clear to see how Vanessa instilled these same values in her children." Remembering young lad James, they added: "Captain of our U14 team this year, James' energy and drive was the heartbeat of our team and he had the confidence to be vocal and show leadership to younger team members. All-Ireland Senior Championship Hurling Final Croke Park "During games his enthusiasm and strength of character was only echoed by that of Vanessa and Sara who would inevitably be cheering him on from the sideline. "At training, those of us lucky enough to be involved would see James the joker. "His playfulness and sense of humour may have earned his teammates more push-ups than they would've like on occasion, but his light-hearted nature and kindness always enhanced team morale and made our time together all the more enjoyable and memorable." And in tribute to Sara, they commented: "Sara displayed a mix of quiet resolve with dogged determination. HEART AND SOUL "An exceptionally well behaved girl, Sara was a joy to be around and always had a smile on her face. "Like Vanessa and James, Sara shared a love of all things GAA and their beloved County Clare, a regular source of playful goading, which we will now forever miss." And St Patrick's Lisbellaw Hurling Club said the tragic victims were "the heart and soul" of the club. They said: "Our hearts go out to all those grieving their loss. This tragedy has had and will continue to have such an impact on all those whose lives they touched. "The club and wider GAA community are sharing resources to try and help process this devastating loss. "Anybody who needs help with this, please reach out. "Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a anam." A 3 The three were avid GAA players in two of their local clubs Credit: Pacemaker
Sunday World
12 hours ago
- Sunday World
Gang suspected of luxury car thefts in border areas are now targeting Dublin
Criminals strip vehicles for parts at 'chop shop' in Northern Ireland One of the suspects went to Connolly Hospital in Dublin for treatment for his injuries An organised crime gang suspected of stealing luxury cars in border counties and stripping them for parts for the black market are believed to have expanded their operations to Dublin. Three criminals have been identified as being the leaders of the gang, who are operating a 'chop shop' in Northern Ireland. The expensive cars are dismantled there, with the parts either exported or sold on the black market in the Republic. Gardaí have identified two career criminals from Co Louth, aged in their mid-30s, and a Dublin criminal from Blanchardstown, aged in his mid-40s, as key players in the operation. The Dublin criminal has convictions for car theft dating to the 1990s when he was a juvenile. The younger pair from Louth also have convictions for car theft offences. There are concerns that the gang have expanded their operations from the border counties into the capital. Gardaí were warned last year not to approach the volatile criminal unless armed The men were involved in a high-speed chase with gardaí on July 11 in the Blanchardstown area in which two cars crashed. The criminals fled the scene, but the Dubliner went to Connolly Hospital the following day for treatment for injuries. Their current base is the Newry area of Co Down, and they have been stopped and searched by the PSNI on a number of occasions. 'This gang is organised in nature in terms of the cars they steal and the money they are suspected of making from it,' a source said. One of the Louth criminals is considered by gardaí to be 'reckless and out of control'. Gardaí were warned last year not to approach the volatile criminal unless armed. At the time, he was involved in a feud with a criminal from Co Monaghan. He previously served a jail sentence for threatening to kill a number of people. Two gang members were arrested over an incident in which a pedestrian was killed Meanwhile, gardaí are also continuing to monitor the activities of the Lucky Dip gang, who have been stealing cars throughout Leinster. An 18-year-old criminal who is considered the leader of the Lucky Dip outfit is currently out on bail after he appealed against a seven-month sentence handed down by the district court earlier this year. Sources said gardaí have been monitoring a number of TikTok accounts linked to the Dublin teenager, in which he has been taunting gardaí with videos of Lucky Dip members driving stolen vehicles. One of these cars is a Volkswagen Golf believed to have been stolen in Rathfarnham, south Dublin, in March. The gang have been driving at high speed the wrong way along motorways and at roundabouts. Two gang members have been arrested over an incident last year in which a pedestrian was killed in north Dublin. There are major concerns that some gang members have 'graduated' to be involved in serious organised crime in west Dublin. Gardaí nicknamed them the Lucky Dip gang after learning that they pick towns at random on an almost nightly basis using Google Maps. One of the suspects went to Connolly Hospital in Dublin for treatment for his injuries Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th
