Tyrone man who died when his car hit a wall in Cavan named as Gareth Wilson

Gareth Wilson, in his 20s and from a rural area to the south of Omagh, died after the car in which he was travelling hit a wall in Cootehill, Co Cavan just before 6pm on Sunday.

The Garda released details of the incident yesterday, whilst the PSNI confirmed the identity of the victim of a crash in Co Down.

In that incident, which also took place on Sunday, motorbike rider Jay Curtis Reardon died after a collision to the west of Newtownards at about 12.50pm.

He was 21 and from the Holywood hills area to the east of Belfast.

The collision occurred on Belfast Road, close to the junction with Milecross Road, and police said yesterday that it is not believed any other vehicle was involved.

They asked for any witnesses to come forward – particularly the driver of a blue or purple Ford Kuga, who it is thought may have stopped at the scene before driving off prior to the arrival of police.

In the Co Cavan incident, the Garda said the dead man had been a rear passenger in the vehicle.

They added that the driver and front passenger – also both in their 20s and from Co Tyrone – were taken to hospital.

The Garda had no details about their condition yesterday.

Mr Wilson had worked at McKenna Precision Engineering, not far from Fintona.

McAtee Funeral Directors list him as being the son of Ellie Callaghan and Lewis Wilson, and as having four siblings.

Independent Omagh councillor Sorcha McAnespy described him as “a young person just in the prime of their life”.

“It’s unreal,” she said.

“There’s just shock. He seemed to be a popular young fellow.”

There have been a string of serious crashes over the last fortnight-or-so.

Last night 16-year-old Justine McConville was in a critical condition in hospital in Belfast after being injured in a collision on Friday evening at Lurgan’s Lake Street.

On Monday, July 25, Lorraine Clyde and Michelle McStravick died as a result of a crash near Randalstown.

Cyclist David Catherwood died after a crash on the A2 at Cultra on July 19, and the same day Valerie Armstrong was hit by a scrambler motorbike in Colin Glen Forest Park, west Belfast. She later died.

Meanwhile, there were 11 road deaths in just five days last week in the Republic.

The PSNI yesterday issued a warning to motor enthusiasts ahead of the start of the Ulster Grand Prix next week, telling them that “emulating your favourite professional racer on public roads” can result in a criminal record, or possibly death.

Roads are expected to be closed in the Dundrod area of Co Antrim from August 10.

The main race is on August 13.

For more details, see online.