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Funeral to take place of Co Down motorcyclist and 'free spirit' Féargal Magennis

Tributes have been paid to Féargal Magennis from Downpatrick
Tributes have been paid to Féargal Magennis from Downpatrick Tributes have been paid to Féargal Magennis from Downpatrick

THE funeral takes place tomorrow of a Co Down motorcyclist described as a "free spirit" following his death in a road crash.

Féargal Magennis (43) from Downpatrick died after his motorbike was in collision with a car in Cabragh on Saturday.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Mr Magennis following his tragic death with his brother describing him as someone who "sailed through life, never judged anyone".

In a message posted online, Simon Magennis said his brother's motto in life was "just live and let live".

"Loved the craic, loved socialising, loved his family, loved his friends, adored my wee boys, loved the motorbike," he said.

He added: "This man never held a grudge, he was too kind, it wasn't in his nature. A free spirit. What a loss. Words simply can't describe it. RIP big bro."

Mr Magennis' partner Souniamh Duffy also posted a tribute to him along with photographs of them both.

"We found each other, we loved each other so much and now I've lost him I'm broken," she said.

His son Ciaran also described his devastation at losing his father.

"Safe to say I'm in complete shock and this is an extremely hard thing to be dealing with," he wrote on Facebook.

"You really never know what's around the corner. RIP Dad."

Requiem Mass for Mr Magennis will be celebrated today at St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick at 11am followed by burial in Struell Cemetery.

Mr Magennis was the 37th person to die on Northern Ireland's roads this year.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to the collision to contact them.