A local priest has paid tribute to a Co Tyrone man killed in what he described as a ‘freak accident’ at a filling station on Wednesday.
Gerard ‘Jock’ Rafferty died after the tragic incident at the filling station in Clonoe, after a grey BMW crashed through the window of the Spar.
Emergency services attended the scene of the crash at the filling station, but Mr Rafferty was pronounced dead at the scene.
The local community has been left stunned after the death of Mr Rafferty, who lived in nearby Derrylaughan and was a native of Maghery, Co Armagh.
Speaking at a mass on Thursday in Clonoe Parish, Canon Benny Fee said there had been a “terrible shadow” hanging over the area and paid tribute to Mr Rafferty, describing him as a “good, fine man”.
“On these days in Clonoe there is a terrible shadow hanging over the parish, the sudden shocking death of dear Jock,” Canon Fee told parishioners.
“A fine good man, decent fella, coming from a great family across the river.
“Today I’m inviting St Brigid to welcome Jock back into the presence of God, be safe there and to reward him for all his goodness.”
The parish priest said his thoughts were with Mr Rafferty’s family, including his wife Susan and three daughters, Shauna, Caoimhe and Niamh.
“I’m thinking of all Jock’s people, a great big extended family, brothers and sisters and spouses and children and grandchildren. Give them strength and courage in these days.”
“I’m thinking also then of all the people who did what they could on Wednesday, all the ambulance people and all the police and everybody who did their part so well, trying to do what they could.”
Canon Fee also added that his thoughts were with the female driver of the BMW.
“I’m thinking of that beautiful girl who, whatever happened on Wednesday in a freak accident, that’s the one thing we do know.
“Whoever she is, I don’t know her, I want to assure her that nobody in Clonoe is standing judgement on her, nobody…it’s a hard cross on everyone.
“I know it’s breaking your heart too, so I ask St Brigid to embrace you and to hold you close to your heart in these terrible days.”
The PSNI says enquiries into the collision which led to Mr Rafferty’s death are ongoing.
The scene in Clonoe County Tyrone where a car crashed into a garage. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Mr Rafferty, who had worked as a bricklayer, had also been a regular at a local community bingo in nearby Ardboe in east Tyrone.
The Ardboe Community Centre said everyone locally was saddened to hear of the tragic and sudden passing, and said Mr Rafferty “always had a smile on his face”.
“Jock was a regular of the Bingo in the hall over the years, a great man who always had a smile on his face, time for a chat and was always willing to help out with the Bingo when needed,” a social media post said.
“He will be sorely missed by all at the Bingo who have known Jock over the years and our thoughts and prayers are with the Rafferty family at this sad time.”
Funeral details for Mr Rafferty have been announced, with requiem mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Clonoe at 11am on Saturday 31 January.