The death of the leading motor cyclist William Dunlop at the Skerries 100 competition in Co Dublin at the weekend was a tragedy of massive proportions and represented another appalling loss for his family in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
Mr Dunlop (32) was the son of Robert Dunlop, who was killed in an accident at the North West 200 in 2008 and a nephew of Joey Dunlop who died in a crash in Estonia in 2000.
Road racing is a hugely dangerous sport which presents significant risks to participants, even with the introduction of advanced safety measures, and the authorities in Ireland, both north and south, will have to give serious consideration to its future licencing..
William Dunlop was a courageous and talented competitor and there will be enormous sympathy for his relatives and friends in the difficult days ahead.
