RIP Craig Lynch (29).

Tributes paid to local teacher killed in car crash

Tributes have been paid to Eureka Secondary School  teacher Craig Lynch, who tragically lost his life in a car crash at the weekend.
It's believed Mr Lynch (29), a former Irish international athlete, was the sole occupant in the car which left the road near on the Kells to Oristown road, striking a wall.

At approximately 1:40am on Sunday morning, Gardaí and emergency services attended at the scene of the collision  on the R163 at Headfort, Kells. Mr Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. His body was removed to the mortuary at Navan Hospital.

Craig represented his country at the European Championships back in 2016 in the 400m event.

He was part of the Ireland team that ran in the 2015 World Relay Championships alongside Thomas Barr, Dara Kervick, Brian Murphy, Brian Gregan and Richard Morrissey.

He also won the national indoor 60m title in 2016. 

Craig worked as a teacher at Eureka Secondary School in Kells but hailed from Shercock in Co Cavan. 

On Sunday night, Shercock AC posted on social media: "Following the tragic death of Craig Lynch, one of our most talented athletes, in a car accident last night, our thoughts and sympathies are with his parents, brothers, sisters, daughter, fiancée and all family members, indeed the whole Shercock community at this sad time. Rest in peace, Craig."

The tragedy has numbed the Eureka School community, who had held a special open day in the school on Saturday to show the local community just hours before the tragic accident.

Principal Caroline O'Reilly on behalf of the school said: "We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of our teacher, colleague and friend Craig Lynch. This is a terrible tragedy for his family, our school and the community. 
"The teachers have been helping students to deal with this tragic event. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service, (NEPS), are in the school advising teachers in their efforts to assist our students. At this difficult time our sympathy and thoughts are with his family and friends."

Irish athelete David Gillick said: "Absolutely heartbreaking to hear of the tragic death of Craig Lynch. Deepest condolences to his family and friends! A truly great guy with a brilliant outlook on life, a terrible loss to such a young life, he will missed by so many!

One of Craig's former athletics coaches, Jeremy Lyons, said: "We're all numb, Craig was  a great guy. And, you know, tough his nails you know, he was a leader and you know, great competitor, just a great guy. We're just in total shock. Not just DCU or Shercock but the whole community. What a privilege to have known this warrior."