Limerick motorcyclist named as two friends die weeks apart in tragic coincidences

A WEST Limerick community is reeling once again after a second tragic road collision has claimed the life of a popular motorcyclist only weeks after the death of his friend in a set of tragic coincidences.

Just over a month after John Sheehan died in a fatal collision, his friend James Keogh of Feenagh has tragically died following a road traffic collision near Kilmeedy on Sunday. James was a gifted mechanic and had been living in Croom for the last 17 years.

James attended the month's mind for John Sheehan in Granagh last Sunday and he then went to the Kilmeedy Road Run to lend his support to the charity initiative prior to his own passing. 

READ MORE: BREAKING: Motorcyclist, 50s, dies following a collision involving a car in Limerick

Cllr Adam Teskey paid tribute to James and offered his condolences to his family and fellow bikers. "This is the second tragedy within a short span of weeks to hit them."

Deputy Richard O'Donoghue attended the Vintage Road Run in Kilmeedy on Sunday and paid tribute to James saying that he was a "great friend" and "looked after everyone."

The Independent Ireland TD added that there was a minute's silence at the vintage road run for all the local people who've passed away in recent times. "Little did we think that another one of our own on the month's mind of John would go. 

"To have one of the motorbike club go down, it hurts everyone," said Deputy O'Donoghue. "That to me is very sad having such a brilliant person have their life run short after being out... supporting his good friend John."

"He gave great advice. He used to do motorcycle racing himself in Mondello and then he went onto forestry (rallying) afterwards. He was a serious pilot."

Deputy O'Donoghue's son Jack was also out on a motorbike with James yesterday. "My son rang me and said James had an accident and died. My stomach dropped."

Deputy O'Donoghue said James and his friends returned to Kilmeedy around 4.30pm last Sunday evening. "He was heading home and I believe he was taking his wife Siobhan out to dinner in Russell's. I think they go to Russell's every Sunday."

James was married to Siobhan Sheehan, the daughter of Seamus Sheehan. She used to run the Rock bar in Granagh.

Deputy O'Donoghue remarked that James was a great supporter of his motorcycle friends and a great supporter for the vintage clubs. James also worked as a truck mechanic in Ballyhea, Charleville.

He continued: "Five people that I knew on bikes have been killed in the last couple of months... These were people that I've been meeting in vintage clubs. They've been there supporting their own biking clubs. They're unbelievable for the support that they do."

The Limerick TD added that motorbikes scare him despite being a motorcyclist himself.

He said there's "so much traffic on the road at the moment and there's so much distractions for different people at the moment on the roads."