Tributes have been paid to the man who died in an accident that happened in Newry over the weekend. Gary “Cookie” McLoughlin, who was in his forties at the time of the deadly car accident that happened on Forkhill Road in Newry on Saturday night, has been named by the local authorities. At the scene, McLoughlin was declared deceased.
It is widely acknowledged that he was hit by a car while walking. Five people died while driving on Northern Ireland’s roads over the weekend as a result of a horrifying collision.
Phil Mitchell, Keith Morrison, Emma Mallon, and Marina Crilly are the four young individuals who lost their lives in the crash involving one vehicle. The early hours of Sunday morning saw the occurrence.
The Linfield Football Club posted a social media tribute to Gary McLoughlin, whose son Matty plays for their under-18 squad. The Linfield Football Club is profoundly grieved to learn of the unexpected demise of Gary McLoughlin, the father of Matty McLoughlin, a scholarship student and player for the Linfield U18s. The statement said as much.
Ashgrove Rovers FC, the football team Mr. McLoughlin had previously played for, also made a tribute. Having played for the team for six seasons, he played a key role in the team’s inaugural trophy victory. You could always count on a good laugh and a good time when he was there, so it is safe to say that he will go down in club legend history.
Mr. McLoughlin was also the Dungannon Swifts’ under-16 team’s coach the previous season. The club has sent its sympathies to his family and friends on his passing.
The police are still seeking information in the wake of the sad collision that happened on Forkhill Road at 10.40 p.m. on Saturday night.
“Officers from the Collision Investigation Unit would appeal to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision, or who has any dash cam or mobile phone footage, to contact them at Sprucefield on 101, quoting reference number 1661 23/03/24,” a Northern Ireland Police spokesperson said. “Enquiries into the collision are ongoing.”
