Please take care on the roads - appeal

The brother of a Ballinagh man killed tragically in a road accident last Saturday has spoken out and is appealing to all motorists to take care on the roads to save families from the heartache caused by road deaths. Karl O'Reilly made the appeal after his brother Micheal (32) lost his life at the weekend. It is the second time that the O'Reilly family from Kilsallagh has been hit by such a tragedy - having lost their sister Jacinta 14 years ago, following a car accident on the same road. Micheal will be laid to rest today (Wednesday), alongside his sister Jacinta. Micheál was killed as a result of collision with another motorcycle at Creighan, Cavan, shortly before 8.30pm on Saturday evening. He was removed by ambulance to Cavan General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. It is understood that Micheál was just after getting fuel for his bike at the near-by filling station and had travelled from Ballinagh, accompanied by another man on a motor cycle. It is understood that he was heading in the direction of Cavan town when the collision took place between the two motor cycles. A garda spokesman said that the other motorcyclist also sustained injuries and was taken to Cavan General Hospital where he was treated and later released. Gardaí in Cavan are investigating and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cavan Garda Station (049)4368800 or the garda confidential line 1800666111. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. Micheal's death brings to three the number of people killed on roads in Cavan and Monaghan so far this year, compared to two for the same period in 2011. An obliging brother The entire community in Ballinagh and well beyond are in shock following the tragedy. Speaking on behalf of the O'Reilly family, Karl O'Reilly appealed to all motorists, regardless of whether you are driving a car or a motorcycle, to take care on the roads and watch the speed. Micheal was a highly qualified plumber and he was also a very skillful coded pipe welder with the family business, O'Reilly Mechanical Services, which he managed jointly with his brother Karl. His brother Karl told The Anglo Celt that Micheal was a student in Gormanstown College in Meath for five years and reading from a reference from the College, he noted that Michael won many sporting titles during his years there. He showed his prowess in the All-Ireland swimming galas. He also had a great interest in gaelic football and was a keen golfer until his untimely death. Speaking on behalf of the family, Karl said Micheal was very obliging, outgoing and sociable and made an impression on everybody that encountered him. Karl said when they went as a team to work on various jobs, Michéal's first priority was to get to know all the people there. His funeral mass takes place in St Felim's Church in Ballinagh today (Wednesday) at 11 o'clock and he will be laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. Huge crowds are expected to attend the service to pay their respects to the family. Micheal is survived by his parents Seamus and Eilish O'Reilly, five brothers Darragh, Karl, Stephen, Adrian and Julian and his sister Regina. May he rest in peace.