Dozens of motorbikes have escorted the body of Northern Ireland rider Jack Oliver to his Limavady home following his death at the weekend.
The 22-year-old was competing at the Kells Road Races in Co Meath when he was involved in a collision at around 1.30pm on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Kells meeting, which was the first post-Covid 19 national road race event held in the Republic of Ireland since 2019, was abandoned.
Read more: Jack Oliver's partner pays moving tribute following young rider's tragic death at Kells Road Races
On Thursday afternoon, dozens of motorbikes escorted Mr Oliver’s hearse, which bore a red flower arrangement that spelled out “Wee Jacko”. The escort travelled from Navan, Co Meath to his home in Limavady.
The bike procession was due to meet at Dillonsland at 1.30pm, and escort the hearse to Dundalk where more bikers and friends of Mr Oliver were expected to join the procession. It was then scheduled to travel to Newry, Belfast and Dungiven, before returning to Mr Oliver’s home in Limavady.
Kells Road Races said in a post on its Facebook page that the “little club is absolutely heart broken” by his death.
Tributes poured in following the young rider's death at the weekend.
British Superbikes rider Glenn Irwin, who won two races at last month’s North West 200, tweeted that he was “very saddened to hear of young Jack Oliver passing away at Kells”.
BBC presenter Stephen Watson also offered his sympathy to Jack’s family and friends. He wrote: “Dreadful news as Jack Oliver from Limavady is killed at the Kells Road Races.
"He won his first Irish road race earlier this year at Cookstown. Thoughts with his friends and family.”
Mr Oliver fell in love with motorbikes at an early age and was tipped for a bright future after impressing in his early years in the sport. The 22-year-old secured a memorable podium finish in his road racing debut at the Armoy Road Races back in August, taking runners-up spot in the Sunflower Trophy.
He went on to claim his first Irish road racing win at the Cookstown 100 in April.
His funeral will be held at 2pm on Sunday in Carrick Parish Church, followed by a burial in Enagh Cemetery at 3pm.
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