Two rally cars were parked outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Newtownbutler last Friday as the funeral for Dáire Maguire, who was killed in a crash in Sligo days beforehand, took place inside.

Mourners took it in turns to touch his name which was printed on the door of one of the cars – a Ford Escort – in a mark of respect.

The 46-year-old father-of-two from Lisnaskea died when the vehicle he was in with driver Gene McDonald collided with a wall during the sixth stage of the Sligo Stages Rally on Sunday, July 16.

Hundreds had lined the narrow road to the church prior to arrival of the hearse. As it travelled toward the church, it was led by the car driven by Damien O’Reilly, who Mr. Maguire frequently sat with when they rallied stages across Ireland together.

Some of the mourners arrived in rally cars, some carrying their helmets, others had club jackets on.

There was a strong presence from the motorsport fraternity with Circuit of Ireland winners such as Gordon Noble, Rory Kennedy, and Garry Jennings among those attending.

There were guards of honour by members of the motor sport fraternity, colleagues from Cadco and students from Mount Lourdes Grammar School and St. Michael’s Grammar School.

Mr. Maguire’s family arrived wearing motorsport jackets with his son, Christopher, carrying his rally suit and his daughter, Meghan, carrying a trophy.

The prayers of the faithful were led by young family members, with prayers said for Mr. McDonald and his family, as well as a prayer for “all the rally drivers and navigators and everyone involved in motorsports, that they will be kept safe wherever the road takes them”.

Father Saghar Sabir, who led the homily, said: “When tragedy strikes in our lives, we are left with a sudden and unexpected hole in our hearts.

“When we try to put into words how it feels, our throat stops up until it actually hurts. Our eyes are tired from the tears, and the only thing we can do is cry for the loss we have suffered."

He said to lose a “much-loved husband or greatly-loved father brings up emotions that no doctor can heal”.

Continuing, he added: “My dear friends, it is good to weep over any loss, but especially when it’s one where you stand so helpless, having had no chance to care and prepare – no chance to even say goodbye.”

Reflecting on the tragedy of both deaths, Fr. Sabir said: “We never expect such tragedy to affect us, our lives, our homes and our hearts, but this is exactly what has happened with the death of Dáire. My heart and prayers go out to all of those who lost their beloved.

“Dáire also left behind two children – Megan and Christopher – who he loved with all his heart. Dáire always called them [his family] ‘the bear family’, and when his mother asked him why he said, ‘Bears stick together’, and they were like that – where one went, they all went.

“He had wonderful friends in the motorsport business, and no matter where the rally was, Breda, Megan and Christopher were there too.”

The President of Motorsport Ireland, Aiden Harper, attended the funeral. He said: “I want to express on behalf of Motor Sport Ireland our sincere condolences to both families at this time.

“They are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

“As President of Motor Sport Ireland, I have launched an investigation into the happenings, which will take some time to complete, and that is in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and the RSA.”

He said the findings of those “will be made in due course when the time is right”, adding: “As a community we join together, and we mourn the loss of our dearly beloved competitors.

“It’s at times like this when the motor sport community comes together as a family. It has been a long week for the families, and it’s not just the run up to this – it’s the aftermath and what happens down the road.

“We think of the competitors, we also think of the first responders and the people on the scene, the rescue team, the ambulance team, the fire services that came in from external and indeed, Connacht Motor Club, who are the organisers of the event,” he added.

Among those expressing their heartfelt sympathies were Jim Reilly, Chairman of the Co. Cavan Motor Club.

“I want to express my sympathies on behalf of Co. Cavan Motor Club and our deepest sympathies to Dáire’s family, his wife Breda, and his children.

“I want to also express my sympathies to the family of Gene McDonald.

“Both Dáire and Gene were very experienced competitors and completed both in local and Cavan stages. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families.”

Following the funeral service, Mr. Maguire’s coffin was carried to his final resting place as Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ played, passing the rally car bearing his name one final time as all those who loved him said goodbye.