Oldcastle motorcycle pals laid to rest in joint funeral

Two life long friends from Oldcastle who were killed in a horror motorcycle crash on Sunday were laid to rest in heartbreaking double funeral yesterday.

Stuart O’Connell and pal Mark Eager were killed in a multi-vehicle motorcycle collision in the Oldcastle area on Sunday, July 28th at approximately 4.30 pm.

Two other motorcyclists, also involved in the crash, were taken to Tallaght University Hospital and Cavan General Hospital to be treated for what were understood to be ‘serious’ injuries following the collision.

Stuart ‘Stuewy’ and Mark ‘Beaver’, who were aged in their 30s and 40, were sadly pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash on the R195 at Bellaney.

The best friends were two of the five people who tragically lost their lives on the country's roads over the course of the weekend.

Mark, who is predeceased by his mother, Ann, leaves behind two children, Rhys and Ruby, their mother, Ann-Marie; his father, Joe; brother Jason; and sisters Joanne and Karen.

He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and ‘wide circle of heartbroken friends’.

Stuart, who had lost his father, grandfather, grandmother and uncle prior to the accident, is survived by his mother, Angela and siblings Ann Marie, David, Malina and Pauric. His family said that their beloved son and brother would be ‘greatly’ missed by his partner Nikkol and sons Tyler and Theo, as well as the wider O’Connell/Manley families.

Mourners gathered to pay tribute to the pair yesterday afternoon in Oldcastle where friends performed motorcycle tricks and reved their engines in honour of the pair before their joint funeral.

Helmets were placed on the coffins to represent the two men's passion for motorbikes along with photographs, a gaming controller, work boots and a motorcycle wheel to represent their love of freedom in the open air.

Remarking on the symbols, Parish Priest Fr Mark Mohan spoke of Mark and Stuart's passions in life.

"The helmets, loving the open road and the thrill that comes from being free, to the calming waters of the lake for a spot of fishing," he said.

"They loved heading off to the lake, the joy of coming back home after a day’s fishing with a big bag full of empty cans, but no fish."

After the funeral, the cortege made its way to the cemetery as fellow motorbike enthusiasts performed burnouts in tribute to the friends.

Stuart and Mark were laid to rest at a cemetery adjoining St Bridget’s Church following the service.