GARDAÍ ARE investigating how a racing motorcyclist lost his life when he crashed during a practice session for an event in Co Meath at the weekend.
Stephen Larkin, a 27-year-old from Co Armagh, was participating on Saturday in the practice session for the Kells road race when he crashed at 5.20pm.
Mr Larkin was practising on the Crossakiel circuit for the annual motorcycle event, which is held on the roads around Kells.
He was due to participate in the 410-750cc support event at the races.
A spokeswoman for the races expressed her condolences to the family of Mr Larkin, but said the race organisers would be making no comment on the circumstances of the crash.
“We won’t be discussing any other details,” she said.
Garda sources said Mr Larkin was negotiating a sweeping bend in the road when he hit a pillar at the entrance of a house.
The pillar had been covered with hay to minimise the impact of any collision. However, Mr Larkin hit the pillar at speed and sustained serious chest injuries.
He was given medical attention at the scene and was then brought by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital, north Dublin.
He was still alive in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but was pronounced dead when he reached the hospital.
The scene of the crash was sealed off and examined on Saturday evening by Garda crash scene investigators.
Mr Larkin, a married man, was believed to be from Craigavon.
In a statement, the Kells Motor Cycle Racing Club said a decision had been taken to proceed with racing yesterday, after Mr Larkin’s family had been consulted and had asked that the racing proceed as planned.
“Both his wife Katherine, father Gerry and brother Michael stated that it is what Stephen would have wanted, he loved the racing,” the statement from club secretary Aileen Ferguson said.
“The family have asked me to pass on their good wishes to all competitors, and they hope that the racing goes well.”
Ms Ferguson added that Stephen Larkin’s brother Michael was planning to attend the racing in Kells yesterday, “and wishes everyone the best”.
The Kells races last July were also the occasion of a fatal crash. Pádraig Campbell (32) was killed during a practice session last year. His death had been the first fatality in the 15-year history of the Kells races.
Two weeks ago, a competitor at motorbike races in Skerries, north County Dublin, lost his life in a crash.
Mylo Byrne (36), Knocklyon, south Dublin, died when taking part in the grand final of the Skerries 100 CC. The event was promoted by the Loughshinny Motorcycle Club.