A young man who died in a road collision over the bank holiday weekend was a “handsome, funny and friendly young man”, neighbours said.
Tributes poured in for tragic Luke Buckley from Friarstown, Grange, Co Limerick, who will be laid to rest this Friday.
The fatal collision occurred just outside Ballyneety village at around 12.30am on Monday.
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Mr Buckley, in his 20s, died 6km from his family home after the car he was driving left the R512 road near a sharp bend and collided with a wall at The Cat’s Cradle bar.
Gardai said there was no other car involved and there was no one else in Mr Buckley’s car at the time.
Survived by his parents Julie and Michael and his siblings Katie and Finn, Mr Buckley was a popular member of staff at Ballyneety Golf Club and he had a large circle of friends, in particular those in Knockea Primary School, Castletroy College and South Liberties GAA Club.
Family friend Dee Hogan wrote in an online book of condolences: “No words are ever going to be enough to comfort you Mick & Julie, Katie & Finn. We remember Luke from a tiny baby to a handsome, funny and friendly young man. So much more to us than neighbours. All of our love to you now & always. Rest in Peace beautiful boy. Dee, Chloe, Nicole & Aisling x.”
Expressing her sympathies, Niamh Ambrose, Principal of Knockea National School, wrote: “We all have such fond memories of Luke as a young boy in Knockea NS, full of fun and endless smiles and we are so utterly sorry for your loss.”
Padraig Flanagan, Castletroy College, CTC, recalled “very fond memories of Luke in Castletroy College”, and the school’s Deputy Principal, Majella Hanrahan, wrote, Mr Buckley’s “winning smile will always be with us here in CTC”.
Members of Ballyneety Golf Club also passed on “sincere condolences to all of the Buckley Family on the sad and tragic passing of Luke, his warm smile and personality will be greatly missed by all”.
South Liberties GAA coach Declan Brosnahan, Drombana, said he had “had the privilege of coaching Luke, for a couple of years” describing him as “a great lad” who was always smiling.
Liam and Helen Hourigan, Ballyneety, also paid tribute, “remembering Luke as bubbly bright young boy smiling” who was taken “far too soon”.
Ray and Helen Hogan stated Mr Buckley “was a great friend to our son Jeffrey, and he will be missed so much”.
Lorraine Nyambi also sympathised, writing that Luke “truly knew how to make people smile and laugh, he will truly be missed”.
Niamh Conroy summed up the tributes, adding that Luke was “truly one of a kind”.
Mr Buckley’s remains will repose at his family residence (eircode V35XT71) Thursday, June 9th, from 3pm to 7pm, with removal on Friday, June 10th, to St Patrick's Church, Knockea, for 12.30pm requiem mass, followed by private cremation.
Mr Buckley’s family asked for privacy at their home “outside of reposal times” and requested “no flowers please with donations, if desired, to Milford Care Centre”.
Gardaí appealed for for witnesses and dash cam footage, and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carried out a “technical examination” of the scene.
“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R512 at Carrigmartin between midnight and 12:30am are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí,” said a Garda spokesman.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214340, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
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