YOUNG IRISH athlete Craig Lynch has been killed in a car crash at the age of 29.
His passing comes following a single-vehicle car crash near Kells, County Meath in the early hours of Sunday morning, 8 September.
The promising young sprinter had established a career in athletics, having represented Ireland in the 2016 European Championships 400m sprint.
He was the winner of the national indoor 60m sprint in 2016, and in 2015 represented Ireland in the World Relay Championships alongside five other Irish athletes.
The news broke this morning of Mr Lynch's tragic passing, with his local athletics club Shercock AC speaking of their devastation on a social media post.
They said:
"Following the tragic death of Craig Lynch, one of our most talented athletes, in a car accident last night, our thoughts and sympathies are with his parents, brothers, sisters, daughter, fiancée and all family members, indeed the whole Shercock community at this sad time.
Rest in peace Craig."
Fellow Irish athlete Brian Gregan was among those paying tribute to Mr Lynch, saying:
"[I] raced Craig since I was 15. We had some titanic battles with Tallaght AC v Shercock in my earlier years and the 2016 national final he pushed us all to another level. Heartbreaking to hear of his passing at such a young age.
Thoughts and prayers to his family."
Raced Craig since I was 15. We had some titanic battles with Tallaght AC v Shercock in my earlier years and the 2016 national final he pushed us all to another level. Heartbreaking to hear of his passing at such a young age. Thoughts and prayers to his family. https://t.co/QpTT4EIipP
— Brian Gregan (@BrianGregan89) September 9, 2019