Gerard 'Jock' Rafferty: Tributes paid to 'likeable and caring fella' who died in 'freak accident'
The Parish of Clonoe in Co Tyrone is ‘in complete shock today again’, after the devastating death of 71-year-old Gerard ‘Jock’ Rafferty at a local Spar shop.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Rafferty after an incident involving a car at a Spar shop and service station in the Moor Road area of Clonoe about 12.20pm on Wednesday.
It is understood his post-mortem took place yesterday.
Parish priest of Clonoe, the Very Rev Canon Benedict Fee, said: “What happened is a terrible shock for everyone.
“Jock was a lovely fella, a good fella, who looked after his wife who suffers from dementia.
“He looked after her very well and was a fierce likeable fella.
“He was a lovely man, his demands were very few and his delights were a scratch card and bingo.”
Canon Fee added that Mr Rafferty “has three lovely daughters” and “he helped to look after their families too”.
“This was a tragedy, but accidents happen,” he added.
“It was a freak accident and Jock never did anything in his life to deserve this, but we don’t understand these things and we are not going go.”
Canon Fee added that “nobody set out to do Jock any harm”.
“We have all been there, been in accidents and my heart goes out to the woman in the car because it could happen to any of us,” he said.
Police received a report of an incident in the Moor Road area of Clonoe, Co Tyrone, at about 12.20pm on Wednesday.
The air ambulance, paramedics, PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service all attended the scene.
After the incident the Moor Road was closed between Washingbay Road and Gortgonis Road – it reopened again yesterday morning.
Sinn Fein MLA for Mid Ulster, Linda Dillon, said: “This is a member of our community, it is somebody who people know and love and care deeply about.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who lives nearby, said: “My heart goes out to my community in Clonoe following the tragic accident at our local shop.
“I am thinking of everyone involved. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
And SDLP representative Malachy Quinn said: “A car has went through a shop wall and a local gentleman unfortunately has died.
“He was an elderly local man. It happened at around 12.30pm today at a local Spar.
“My heart is breaking for the family and loved ones to be perfectly honest.
“The entire community is in shock. It is a tragic accident of the highest order.”
Other tributes and messages of sympathy for his family online include:
l “My heart goes out to all that have been affected by this terrible tragedy today just absolutely heartbreaking and thoughts and prayers with this man's family at this heartbreaking time and the driver, life is so very cruel and can change in just a matter of minutes.”
l “Condolences to Jock's family he was definitely a character always had a laugh when you talked to him.”
l “So sad R.I.P Gerald condolences to the family you be sorely missed at the bingo on a Friday night at Ardboe a gentleman.”
Meanwhile, police have appealed to any witnesses to contact them.
• Mr Rafferty’s funeral will take place this Saturday from his home on Derrylaughan Road (BT71 4QR) at 10.15am to arrive at St. Patrick’s Church, Clonoe for Requiem Mass at 11am. Interment afterwards in St. Brigid’s cemetery, Brocagh.