“He was my best friend, the best husband and father you could wish for.”

These were the words of Breda, the heartbroken wife of Dáire Maguire (46), the much-loved family-man and motorsport enthusiast who was tragically killed during the sixth stage of the Sligo Stages Rally on Sunday afternoon (July 16).

The late Dáire Maguire.

The late Dáire Maguire.

The Lisnaskea man was the co-driver of a Ford Escort rally car driven by Gene McDonald from Co. Cavan.

Both men suffered fatal injuries when their vehicle collided with a wall in the Carrigans Lower area near Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

“This happened at probably the happiest time of his life,” said his oldest brother Conor, holding back tears as he recounted how Dáire was doing everything he loved the day before his tragic accident; spending time with Breda and his two children, Meghan and Christopher, at the Radisson Hotel in Sligo, after an afternoon of rallying, his life’s passion.

“That was his life – his wife, his family and rallying.”

The last photograph of Dáire, taken on Saturday night, reflects this happiness – a warm smile on his face as he enjoys a meal with his family.

“What we understand from Breda is that they had a lovely weekend as a family in Sligo,” said Dáire’s other older brother, Eamonn, noting that the family were “very close-knit” and did “everything together”.

The late Dáire Maguire pictured with his children, Meghan and Christopher.

The late Dáire Maguire pictured with his children, Meghan and Christopher.

“He was an immensely loving husband and a proud father to his children. [Meghan and Christopher] are both very high achievers, and were just such a source of great pride for him,” added Conor.

Growing up at Derryany, Lisnaskea, Dáire was the youngest of the four Maguire children, and was looked out for by his older siblings, Catherine, Conor and Eamonn, and doted on by his parents, Eamonn and Bernie.

“He’s our young baby of the house. He was so genuine and good to his mother and father. We have a farm at home and he was very good with cattle – Daddy loved that,” said Eamonn.

A fond memory

Very close as brothers, Conor, Eamonn and Dáire shared a strong friendship. With a smile, Eamonn recalled a fond memory of a time the three of them went on holiday together.

“Around the time that Dáire met Breda, the three of us brothers went on holiday to Cancun in 2000; it was our last big holiday together.

“We would often laugh that it was a honeymoon resort, but the three Maguires went anyway, and we had a great fortnight,” he laughed.

Dáire left secondary school at the age of 16 and attended Fermanagh Technical College. Not long after that, he went on to work with Gabriel Timoney of Timoney Tiles at Garvary.

“Gabriel was a great employer to Dáire for maybe 12 years or so,” said Eamonn, adding: “Then myself and Dara and our brother-in-law, Bernard Reilly, set up a tile and bathroom business in Cavan town back in 2005.

“We made a lot of friends in the Cavan, Leitrim and Longford community, and allied with Dáire’s [rally] driving, he became very well-known in those areas.

“Unfortunately we closed the business. Dáire’s career then came full circle this year when he joined Cadco in Lisnaskea a number of months back,” explained Eamonn, commenting that Gerry Cadden, Tony Reihill and Danny Cadden were “wonderful employers” to his brother.

The high esteem in which Dáire was held by his employers and colleagues was evident as his remains were brought home to Lisnaskea from Sligo on Monday night (July 17) by Swift and McCaffrey Funeral Directors.

People paid their respects as the remains of Dáire Maguire were brought home to Co. Fermanagh. Photo: John McVitty.

People paid their respects as the remains of Dáire Maguire were brought home to Co. Fermanagh. Photo: John McVitty.

As the hearse travelled through his home town of Lisnaskea, representatives of Cadco formed a guard of honour as they paid their respects to their much-loved late colleague.

Dáire’s passion for motorsport stemmed from an early age. “He was into the Grand Prix first, from the age of 13, and then the rallying came,” said Eamonn, outlining how over the years Dáire drove with Eddie Peterson, Michael McDaid. Damien O’Reilly among others.

“His latest driver was Gene McDonald, who he actually only met the day before [the accident],” added Conor: “And they died together.”

Very grateful

The family are very grateful for the outpouring of support from the Connacht Motor Club, the organisers of the Sligo Stages Rally, Cavan Motor Club and the whole rally community over the last few days.

“We are overwhelmed by the messages from the rally community of Ireland. He was very well-liked across the island,” said Eamonn, his voice breaking with emotion as he reflected on how highly respected Dáire was by his rallying peers: “They are heartbroken, themselves.”

“The rally community are just amazing. They are like one huge family,” added Conor.

Arranged by Swift & McCaffrey Funeral Directors, Dáire’s funeral is taking place today (Thursday, July 20) at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newtownbutler at 11am. Burial will follow at the adjoining cemetery.

Beloved husband of Breda and devoted father to Meghan and Christopher, loving son of Eamonn and Bernie, and dear brother of Catherine Reilly, Conor, Eamonn and son-in-law of Margaret (Mullally), Dáire will be sadly missed by his wife, son, daughter, parents, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law June, Helena, Amanda and Anthea, brothers-in-law Bernard and Barney, mother-in-law, nieces, nephews and the extended family circle.

“Dáire was the life and soul of the party. Very humorous, very entertaining and a great storyteller.

“He was just a wonderful brother, the best of all of us,” Dáire’s heartbroken brothers told this newspaper.