Well known local GAA referee dies in tragic accident near Toomevara

The tight-knit community of Toomevara has been plunged into grief after a widely known and respected GAA referee died in a tragic accident near the village.

Gardaí attended the scene of a fatal single car road traffic collision that occurred near Toomevara last night on Tuesday, December 7.

The man who died in the tragic accident is well known referee and Toomevara GAA Club member, Kieran Delaney, who was very well known and respected in the local community where he was affectionately known as ‘Festy’.

Described as an “extremely passionate Toomevara man”, Mr. Delaney's local GAA Club expressed their shock on their social media and said Mr. Delaney was “involved with the club from a young age and an active member of the club committee”.

North Tipperary GAA Board said they are “devastated” at the news of the tragic accident and described Mr. Delaney as “one of the division’s most experienced and most popular referees”.

Shortly after 10pm Gardaí responded to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car and pedestrian on the R499 between Toomevara and Ballinamona Cross. The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has since been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem will take place at a later date. The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick as a precaution.

The road is currently closed to allow for an examination to be carried out by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. They are particularly appealing to any road users who were travelling on this road at the time with camera footage to make this available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda station on 067 504 50, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.