TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Irishman who tragically died at the weekend after being hit by two cars shortly after he exited a taxi.
Robert McLoughlin, 29, died when he was struck on the Old Newry Road, Dundalk in Co. Louth in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 3.15am but Mr McLoughlin was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
The young accountant’s body was removed to a local hospital where a post-mortem was due to be carried out on Saturday.
His death notice on RIP.ie reads: “The death has occurred of Robert (Foods) McLoughlin of Newry Road, Dundalk, Louth On 21st October 2017, following an accident.
“Robert (aged 29) much loved son of Sid and Attracta and dear brother of Stephen and Kim.
“Deeply regretted by his heartbroken parents, brother, sister, sister -in-law Catriona, niece Chloe, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and many friends.”
Mr McLoughlin’s best friend, local Fine Gael councillor John McGahon, said he was devastated by his death.
"Robert has been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember,” he said in a statement.
“Robert to me and my group of friends was always the go-to guy. He was always the guy you'd go to if you had a problem.
"He was always the guy you could rely on. This is such a total and utter tragedy. I've never been in this position before to explain it properly.
“All I can say is that he will be sincerely and greatly missed by every single one of his friends, who are in the hundreds.
“He'll be greatly missed by his older brother and sister and he'll be greatly missed by his mother and father and the rest of his extended family."
Gardai confirmed on Monday that the drivers of the two cars involved in the incident, a male and a female, were both uninjured.
Mr McLoughlin had just exited a taxi and was crossing the road to get to his home when the collision occurred.
The Old Newry Road was closed on Saturday to allow for Garda Forensic Collision Investigators to conduct an examination of the scene.
The road has since reopened. Funeral details for Mr McLoughlin are to be announced shortly.
