Tributes for dad-of-two after tractor collision

Patrick Gerard Lively, 60, died after a collision on Bryansford Road at the junction with Kinnahalla Road on Monday.

Parish Priest Fr Jarlath Cushenan said: “He was working at cutting hay when it happened. It was a massive shock to the family.

“I was there last night. It is a very sad situations for his wife and children.

“There were a lot of family there and his mother too.”

Mr Lively leaves behind a wife and two children, and a larger, wider family circle in the area, he said.

“His mother is still alive as are a number of sisters and brothers. He was a very well-known fella, very popular around the area.”

Murtagh Walls, a friend of the late Mr Lively, said: “The area has been deeply shocked by what has happened because everyone knew him, or a member of his family.”

“His death has been a very big shock to the whole area,” he added. Even the parish priest who was out here yesterday evening was deeply affected by it all.”

Mr Walls said his friend had worked as a builder until he recently retired after suffering ill health.

“He recently retired after going through a heart bypass,” he added.

“Gerry was a right fella who would have kept to himself and he did his own thing.

“He had two children, and his mother is still living and is around 89 years old.

“His daughter had just finished her degree in teaching and was going to teach in England next week, so this could throw a spanner in the works.”

Mr Walls, who said he went to school with Mr Lively and other members of his family, added: “Gerry was a good, decent fella who I would have known since school and I am deeply sorry about what has happened.

“I am unsure about how the accident happened but where it happened is a notorious turn, especially at 6pm.”

SDLP councillor for Newry and Mourne District Council Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “This is another very sad incident on our roads, with yet another death.

“This was a man going about his daily business when he was involved in this accident.

“I believe the community will rally around his family and give them total support at this very tough time.”

Constable Stephen Dickson, of the Collision Investigation Unit, has appealed for anyone who was on the Bryansford Road at the junction with the Kinnahalla Road in Hilltown at around 6pm on Monday and who may have information which would assist their inquiries to contact the Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield on the non-emergency number 101.

Mr Lively was the 40th person to die on Ulster’s roads this year.

This time (August 16) last year 42 people had lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads.

And at this time (August 16) in 2014 49 people had lost their lives on Ulster’s roads.

In 2015, 74 people were killed on Northern Ireland’s roads.

In 2014, 79 people lost their lives on Ulster’s roads.

The figure of 48 road fatalities in 2012 remains the lowest in recent record.

Mr Lively’s funeral will be at 2.30pm on Friday at St John the Evangelist’s, Hilltown.