Shane O'Neill

Shane O’Neill, killed instantly on Sunday’s Monaghan Rally, was an extremely popular young man who lived for rallying. He had a ready smile and was always in the thick of the action. An active committee member of Magherafelt Motor Club, he won the club’s top co-driver award last year. Shane, from Draperstown, was a 27 year-old bachelor and worked as a plumber. His life centred on  rallying. One of his proudest moments was winning outright the Lark in The Park Rally with Eugene Donnelly. He had co-driven for many top drivers, and was always in demand. Shane was one of those special people who bubbled, just loved life. The sadness that descended on the rally when the news broke was akin to a tangible, all enveloping black cloud. He will be very sadly missed. To his mum and dad Ann and Danny, his brother Ryan, the larger family circle and many friends, we offer our deepest condolences.