A COUNCIL is to examine ways of improving a Co Tyrone forest's mobile phone coverage following the tragic death of a runner and former GAA player.
Fergal Mulgrew, from Dunamore near Cookstown, died suddenly last month after collapsing while out running with a friend in Davagh Forest.
The 40-year-old, a former Kildress Wolfe Tones GAC player who was fondly described as a "true gentleman", had been preparing for the Dublin Marathon.
The tragedy was referred to at a recent meeting of Mid Ulster District Council's development committee by Sinn Féin councillor Sean Clarke.
He claimed that when trying to contact emergency services, there was no mobile phone coverage and Mr Mulgrew's friend had to run to the nearest house some distance away to raise the alarm.
Council official Tony McCance agreed that it was a tragedy and said the council would look at options on how to improve network coverage in remote areas like Davagh Forest.
It was recommended that the matter would be investigated, the Tyrone Courier reported.
Last month friends of Mr Mulgrew said he was a "very talented athlete who always gave his best" and was "always willing to help others".
His death was the first of two tragedies in a month to hit Kildress GAA club and the Dunamore community.
Ceibha Monaghan (37) died earlier this month having suffered a blood clot after a fall.
A former senior player with Kildress, her family described her as a "wonderful person" who was "loving and caring and very devoted to her family and friends".
