A 27-year-old motorbike rider died following a crash during a practice session for a road race, gardai said today.
Stephen Larkin, from Armagh, died after the accident at the Kells road races in Co Meath yesterday.
Gardai said the accident happened at 5.20pm and the rider was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died.
Mr Larkin had been out on the Crossakiel circuit practising for the 401-750cc support race when the crash happened.
Aileen Ferguson, secretary of the Kells Motorcycle Racing Club, said the rider’s family asked for racing to carry on today.
“His wife Katherine, father Gerry and brother Michael stated that it is what Stephen would have wanted, he loved the racing,” she said.
“The family have asked me to pass on their good wishes to all competitors and they hope that the racing goes well.
“Michael will be at Kells today and wishes everyone the best.
“Kells MCRC would like to express their sympathy to all the Larkin family and to all Stephen’s many friends.”
Johnny Landy, chairman of the Kells MCRC, added: “As a club we would like to express sympathies with his family and friends.
“It was the express wishes of the family that the races would go ahead.”
It is the second death in two years at the race meeting.
Last July, 32-year-old Padraig Campbell died, also in a practice session. His death was the first in the 15-year history of the Crossakiel event.
Organisers were planning a collection at the circuit today for the Larkin family.
PA