TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to a talented footballer who lost his life following a road crash near Drumcliffe in County Sligo yesterday.

The collision, which happened shortly before 6am on Sunday on the N15 at Urlar, involved a van and a lorry. The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene. 

He has been named locally as James McNeive (28), who was from Knock in Co Mayo.

Mr McNeive worked as a Primary school teacher in Dublin and more recently in Gortskehy National school in Hollymount in Mayo. He was also a talented Gaelic footballer and played senior football with Aghamore GAA in County Mayo. 

Paying tribute Local Aontú Councillor Paul Lawless, who was a good friend of Mr McNeive, said he and the wider community are completely devastated by the tragedy. 

“We are in shock today at the death of James McNeive,” he said. 

“He was a genuine young man, outgoing and the life and soul of his community and of his friends. I want to express my sincere sympathy to his mother Bernadette, his sister Fiona and his brothers Michael, Matthew and Peter Jr, and to the entire McNeive and Sweeney families at this very tough time’’.

The lorry driver was taken to Sligo University Hospital for assessment. His injuries are not life-threatening. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward and are also seeking road users with camera footage, including dashcam footage, who were travelling between Drumcliffe and Grange at the time of the collision to make it available to them.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are also seeking road users with camera footage, including dashcam footage, who were travelling between Drumcliffe and Grange at the time of the collision to make it available to them. 

Anyone with information can contact Sligo garda station at 071 9157000, the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

The tragic death brings to 114 the number of people who have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year, an increase of 14 from the same period last year.

No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.