A LEADING official with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and a teenage boy lost their lives in separate road traffic crashes at the weekend.
John Sherlock, vice-president of the FAI’s junior council, died after his car left the road and hit a wall at about 6am yesterday at Lecarrow in Co Roscommon.
Mr Sherlock, who was in his 50s, had earlier attended a function in Athlone to celebrate the election of his friend Paddy McCaul as president of the FAI.
The single-vehicle crash happened on the N61 between Athlone to Roscommon, a short distance from Mr Sherlock’s home at Knockcroghery.
Mr Sherlock, who was alone in his car, was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to Roscommon General Hospital.
Gardaí in Roscommon are investigating and have appealed for any witnesses or anybody who was driving on the road around the time of the incident to contact them.
In a second crash, a 17-year-old boy died when the car he was driving left the road and hit a wall on the N9 at Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, at 6.25am yesterday. There was no other vehicle involved in the incident.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene. A 17-year-old male passenger sustained what gardaí described as minor injuries. He was taken for treatment to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny.
Gardaí at Carlow Garda station are investigating the crash. They have asked for anyone travelling on the stretch of road near Bagenalstown between 6am and 7am yesterday to contact them.